KATHMANDU, Aug 8: In a bid to operate public transportation in the Kathmandu valley through an integrated system, the government has brought a bill in parliament for the formation of Kathmandu Valley Public Transportation Authority.
The Kathmandu Valley Public Transportation Authority Bill, registered by the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahasheth at the House of Representatives secretariat has proposed setting up the authority to plan, manage and operate the public transportation inside the Kathmandu Valley.
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The authority will be responsible for making the public transportation in the valley accessible, easy, reliable and safe. According to the bill, the authority will fix the routes for public transportation and set standards for vehicles. The authority will also end the existing cartel in route permit distribution.
The authority will also formulate policies and short and long term plans and strategies for improving the public transport system. Currently, the Department of Transportation Management (DoTM) is the sole body responsible for managing and regulating the transport sector. Similarly the authority will also introduce electronic payment system and information system.
The ministry has proposed a public transportation council for operation, supervision and management of public transportation system with Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor as coordinator. Mayors of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Bhaktapur Municipality, a joint secretary from the ministry, director of the DOTM and representatives of at least three major transportation service provider companies among others will be members of the council.
The government will appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) to carry out administrative works of the authority. The CEO will be picked from among individuals who have worked for at least a decade in the transport sector. For its operation, the authority will collect certain royalty from the transport fare.
