Sujata Limbu from Jhapa carries a white cane and commutes daily from Chabahil to Ratna Park. She finds it hard to figure out whether the passing vehicle is a bus, or a microbus, or a truck. She ends up waiting for a long time, and rarely receives assistance from the bus staff. She is also fed up with the treatment she receives inside the bus. Reserved seats for disabled passengers are often occupied, and the behavior of the drivers, co-drivers and the passengers is far from gentle.
Thakumaya Magar, who lives in Nakkhu, Lalitpur, is deaf. She has had several arguments with bus staff while visiting relatives in Dhading because she cannot hear what others are saying. Even when she shows her disability ID card, she is not offered a seat. Frustrated by the treatment, she sometimes considers driving herself.
Bharat BC from Jajarkot, an undergraduate student, acquired a spinal cord injury during his studies. He faced public transport challenges along his regular route - Kirtipur, Lagankhel, and Jawalakhel. The experience of boarding a vehicle with a wheelchair was painful. Rude responses from bus drivers and their assistants added insult to injury.
These are a few representative cases of the hardships faced by disabled persons while commuting by public transport in Kathmandu and the rest of Nepal. Public transport is not disability-friendly. Except for the electric buses recently introduced by Sajha Yatayat, most vehicles are unsuitable for people with disabilities. In addition to infrastructural challenges, the attitudes of drivers, co-drivers, and fellow passengers remain unwelcoming.
At a recent program held by the National Association of the Physically Handicapped in Lalitpur, people with disabilities reported difficulties in getting on and off the vehicle or finding a seat. They also highlighted discrimination in the provision of facilities. While a few vehicles are accessible, most are too high, making it hard for disabled passengers to board.
Transport entrepreneurs and traffic police personnel, however, claim that improvements have been made. They report that training for drivers and co-drivers has led to better treatment of disabled passengers. Awareness stickers have been placed in vehicles and monitoring efforts are ongoing.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act guarantees easy access to public services, including transportation, and ensures that disabled individuals can travel with their aides and a helper of their choice. However, the implementation remains unrealized.
Personal Accounts
Sujata Limbu (visually impaired)
Providing a hassle-free commute
"I live in Danchhi and travel to Chabahil and Ratna Park regularly. Even when I stand with my white cane, many drivers do not stop. I cannot tell by sound alone whether the approaching vehicle is the one I need. When the vehicle finally stops, boarding is even harder if there is a crowd. Passengers are generally unkind, and only a few co-drivers speak politely. Reserved seats for disabled persons are often occupied by others, and the majority of passengers are either unaware, or just do not care even as they see men and women with white canes standing next to them. I’m often forced to travel standing.
"The recent increase in electric vehicles has made walking more difficult. These vehicles are low on sound, and there are no clear signs or zebra crossings in the Kathmandu streets. Finding the right bus stop is a challenge in itself. I often happen to board whatever vehicle stops by. Boarding a wrong bus creates additional problems."
Thakumaya Magar (Hearing Impaired)
"My mother is from Dhading, and I currently live in Nakkhu. The treatment of disabled people in Kathmandu’s public transport has improved slightly, but not enough. Outside Kathmandu, it is even worse.
"I’ve had many arguments with co-drivers because they do not understand me, and I cannot hear them. Despite showing my disability ID card, I am denied discounts and often end up paying more. Reserved seats are usually occupied, and if I try to sit elsewhere, I am told to move. I wish they would just give me a license. I could drive better than most drivers."
Bharat BC (Spinal Cord Injury)
"I am originally from Jajarkot but have been living in Kathmandu since childhood. During my studies, I faced significant challenges commuting daily from Kirtipur to Lagankhel and Jawalakhel.
"Getting into a vehicle with a wheelchair is a nightmare. The drivers and co-drivers often treated me poorly. They wouldn’t stop when needed. If at all I would manage to get in, I would not find a seat. Even worse, the rude remarks made me feel low.
"Things are slightly better now in Kathmandu, though. But outside of the capital city, it is much worse. For long-distance travels, wheelchairs are stored in the trunk, which causes additional inconvenience. The facilities available in Kathmandu should be expanded nationwide."
Anu Rai (Spinal Cord Injury)
"I live in Gokarneshwor and frequently travel to Kathmandu for work. Due to my disability, I initially relied on taxis, but it was very expensive. Now, I use a four-wheeled scooter, though riding it comes with its challenges.
"The Kathmandu roads are difficult to navigate, and even when I find a comfortable spot to ride, I am fined for violating traffic rules. We are not asking for rules to be broken, but authorities should consider our unique situations and make travel convenient for us."
Kopila Gurung (Poor Vision)
"I live in Kirtipur and commute to Bagbazar to prepare for the civil service exams. The microbuses from Kirtipur to Ratnapark rarely stop. I often have to use big buses, where getting a seat is nearly impossible.
"Many passengers take advantage of my poor vision. I am often cheated. Reserved seats for the disabled are occupied, and children or the elderly are sitting in them, making it hard for me to ask them to vacate the seat for me. Co-drivers are unhelpful and do not cooperate."
Stakeholder Perspectives
Gopal Chandra Gurung (Transport Entrepreneur)
"I work with Nepal Yatayat. We follow all rules and have placed awareness signs and stickers inside the vehicles. Seats for disabled passengers have been arranged, and drivers and co-drivers who misbehave are summoned to the office for warnings.
"However, finding drivers stopping to pick up disabled passengers outside designated stops needs to end. I also urge disabled passengers to wait at the proper bus stops."
John Tamang (Transport Entrepreneur)
"I am associated with Sajha Yatayat, which has introduced low-rise buses. These are effective for disabled passengers, as co-drivers assist them in boarding. However, we still face challenges in providing services for all types of disabilities. More low-rise buses have been ordered, and we are continuing awareness training. Skilled manpower remains a challenge."
Binita Sharma (Representative, Mahalaxmi Municipality)
"The local level allocates budgets for disabled people every year, but much of it remains unspent due to a lack of proper programs. Some buildings, including ours, are not disability-friendly. Proper programs would help utilize the budget and improve the lives of disabled people."
Bikunarayan Kasichhewa (Traffic Police)
"I have been working with the Lalitpur Traffic Police for eight months, and have not received numerous complaints about misbehavior during this time. Complaints have decreased across the city.
"While buses remain inaccessible for disabled passengers, we are running continuous awareness programs. Misbehavior and overcharging are fined based on complaints."
