Transport Entrepreneurs Advocate for Overhaul of Public Transport System in Nepal

Several important proposals have been made to the government by a group of transport entrepreneurs in an attempt to improve the condition of public transportation in Nepal. In a memo delivered to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Wednesday at a meeting, the Republican Transport Entrepreneurs Association urged the creation of a capable transport body.

Under the direction of Association President Gyanendra Shrestha, the business owners emphasized the necessity of resuming association and committee registration in the transportation industry. They also demanded the establishment of a special transport directorate or authority, highlighting its critical function in coordinating reforms.

The businesspeople included the elimination of needless tax burdens on public vehicles in their list of complaints. They supported the creation of training facilities to generate competent drivers and suggested registering cars according to provinces.

The Association also advocated for increased investments in public transportation infrastructure, the removal of what they considered to be an unworkable traffic fine policy, the elimination of the five percent value-added tax on transportation, and the inclusion of transport workers in the social security fund.

The businesspeople called for a reconsideration of the 20-year scrap policy that was imposed on public vehicles to address their concerns. They proposed that instead of rigorously sticking to a set time range, vehicles should be allowed to run based on their real condition. The organization also called for the introduction of suitable limits, voicing objection to the free operation of automobiles arriving in Nepal from India.

The transport entrepreneurs focused on the operational, financial, and regulatory components of the public transportation system in their extensive list of recommendations. The recommendations highlight how urgent it is for industry participants to implement significant changes and upgrades to Nepal's public transportation system. To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the nation's public transportation system, the government is anticipated to examine the memorandum and hold additional discussions with the transport entrepreneurs.