KATHMANDU, March 7: Public transport operators in the country have demanded the government hike the passenger fares, citing the soaring prices of petroleum products in recent days.
General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, Saroj Sitaula said they have given an ultimatum of March 9 to revise the existing transport fares. “If the government does not listen to our plea, we will be compelled to hike the fares on our own,” said Sitaula.
Reluctance to implement adjusted transport fares
According to transport entrepreneurs, the government had agreed to implement a scientific mechanism to revise the fares earlier in 2013. According to the agreement, the hike in transport fares is determined based on 35 percent increase in fuel and 65 percent rise in non-fuel factors that include bank interest rates, cost of spare parts, staff salary and administrative and maintenance costs.
The transporters said Nepal Oil Corporation has hiked petroleum prices 11 times since mid-July 2021. Over the period, petrol has become dearer by Rs 39 per liter while the price of diesel has gone up by Rs 28 per liter.
Last time, the government authority hiked public transport fares by 28 percent on July 14, 2021. While the soaring market prices have already hit the general public hard, the hike in transport fares is sure to make living dearer for them.
