KATHMANDU, March 15: The operators of night buses transporting passengers from various places in Jhapa, including Kakarbhitta, the major transport hub in eastern Nepal, to Kathmandu, have started a one-door system by keeping a 'joint booking counter' from Thursday.
A decade ago, following the government's abolition of the 'syndicate system,' individual booking counters operated by transport companies became prevalent. However, this setup led to unhealthy competition among passengers and businessmen. To address this issue, transport entrepreneurs have initiated a one-door system through mutual agreement, aimed at enhancing investment security and passenger management, stated Rajendra Rijal, Chairman of Purba Mechi Bus Bewasayi Pvt Ltd.
According to him, a one-door system has been implemented in the night bus services bound for Kathmandu from Thursday through the Mechi Joint Transport Management Committee formed by the main four transport companies of Jhapa. On the first day, 20 passenger night buses from Kakarbhitta, Bhadrapur, Gaurigunj, Bharbe and Birtamod arrived in Kathmandu carrying passengers through the joint booking counter.
The hassle of traveling in public vehicles
The companies affiliated to the Joint Management Committee are Purbi Mechi Bus Bewasayi Pvt Ltd, Purbi Himal Yatayat Pvt Ltd, Mechi Yatayat & Auto Pvt Ltd and Mechi Super Yatayat Pvt Ltd. He said that other companies in Kathmandu are also preparing to adapt to the one-door system.
With the implementation of this system, passengers can now purchase tickets from a single counter for any bus, while transport operators will adhere to a predetermined schedule.
Chairman of Mechinagar Transport Management Committee, Dilliram Ghimire, said that the beginning of hassle-free service for passengers from one booking counter through a one-door system will end the disorder caused by middlemen and chaos in the transport sector.
We aim to ensure passenger convenience and put an end to unhealthy competition," stated Ghimire. He said that the committee's commitment is to discontinue syndicate practices and promote efficient traffic management. He added, “This initiative is not a syndicate but rather a systematic approach to managing transportation round-the-clock, thus enhancing passenger convenience.”
Ghimire said it is a welcome action by transport entrepreneurs to streamline and dignify the transport sector, citing instances where numerous booking counters had inconvenienced passengers.
"In the initial phase, this system will be implemented for night buses," said Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, the former president of Mechi Bus Bewasayi Pvt Ltd, who also serves as the route determination coordinator for the Joint Transport Management Committee. "We have designated counter locations and staff. We adjust the rotation systematically based on passenger and vehicle pressures," he said.
