KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management has revised fares for electric public vehicles operating on inter-provincial routes, introducing new rates for short-, medium- and long-distance passenger and cargo services.
The revised fares apply to vehicles operating on both Terai and hilly routes, with charges determined by distance and route category.
For long-distance journeys exceeding 250 kilometres in the Terai, the fare has been set at Rs 2.93 per passenger per kilometre. For routes ranging from 25 to 250 kilometres, the rate is Rs 3 per passenger per kilometre. The fare for the Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Narayanghat routes has been fixed at Rs 3.24 per passenger per kilometre.
Vehicles certified as deluxe services may charge 20 percent more than the standard fare, while super deluxe services may impose an additional 20 percent on top of the deluxe rate.
The department has also directed transport operators to provide fare discounts to students, persons with disabilities and senior citizens upon presentation of valid identification cards.
Under the revised safety requirements, long-distance night buses must have two drivers on board. Drivers and conductors are also required to wear uniforms or identification badges.
The department warned that operators charging fares above the prescribed rates would face strict action. Passengers can report overcharging through the Hello Sarkar toll-free number 1111 or the traffic police hotline at 103.
Cargo transport fares have also been revised. For vehicles with a 10-tonne capacity, the rate has been set at Rs 7.72 per tonne per kilometre in the Terai and Rs 14.77 per tonne per kilometre in the hills.
Under the new rates, cargo transport charges for the Birgunj–Kathmandu route have been fixed at Rs 31,446, while the Bhairahawa–Kathmandu route will cost Rs 32,141.
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