KATHMANDU, July 9: The government has said that public transportation fare is increasing by 50 percent until the next decision as vehicles are allowed to carry only 50 percent of their total capacity.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Yuba Raj Khatiwada, who is also the spokesperson of the government, said since public vehicles are allowed to carry passengers only 50 percent of their actual capacity, the fares have been increased by 50 percent to help meet the operation cost of vehicles.

The government has already announced plans to operate short-distance public vehicles within the respective districts. "The decision to increase fares will be effective only for a limited period of time. The government will review the decision after the situation [of COVID-19 pandemic] comes to normalcy," said  Minister Khatiwada.   

The public transportation has been on a halt after the government imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 on March 24. Public transport entrepreneurs have complained that they are forced to undergo a severe economic hardship due to prolonged lockdown.

 
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