KATHMANDU: Umesh Giri, a resident of Saptakoshi Municipality currently living in Kathmandu, often visits his family during festivals like Dashain and Tihar.
Teaching at a private school, Giri received an unexpected call from a transport worker on Monday, who inquired, “Which day will you go home to celebrate Dashain?”
Confused, Giri asked if advance ticket booking for Dashain was open.
The caller informed him that all seats were booked and inquired how many days ahead he wanted the ticket, noting Giri’s usual patronage of their service.
Giri requested a ticket for October 9 but found that he couldn’t secure the desired seat.
“I thought I would get a front seat in the Sumo,” he lamented, explaining that he ended up sitting in the dirty passage of the vehicle.
He attributed his luck in getting a seat to his connection with the transport worker. “If it weren’t for that employee, I would have faced the same situation as usual.”
He further clarified that passengers are not informed of the vehicle number at the time of ticket purchase, even with advance payments, to manage expectations regarding which vehicle will arrive.
Giri has since begun sharing the contact information of the transport worker with others, urging friends to buy tickets as soon as they become available.
Similarly, Naresh Shahi, a student from Kailali living in Kathmandu for the past four years, is aware of the challenges in securing bus seats during Dashain.
To avoid this, he booked his ticket for Kailali, even though he hasn’t yet received a physical ticket.
Shahi noted that tickets will be distributed only after advance bookings officially open, as he is familiar with the ticket counter and the driver.
The government has agreed with the transport industry to open advance ticket bookings for public transport during Dashain starting from September 28 (Saturday).
However, many people, like Giri and Shahi, may struggle to secure tickets because transport workers have reportedly sold tickets before the official booking period.
According to a transport employee at the new bus park in Gongabu, Kathmandu, they are collecting payments for tickets before the advance booking opens to avoid prosecution.
The employee indicated that once bookings officially start, tickets would be allocated based on prior payments, creating a list prioritizing regular passengers.
Transport workers are contacting frequent travelers to reserve their tickets in advance, leading to further complications for the general public.
Another employee admitted that tickets were being set aside for friends and family, highlighting a troubling trend of favoritism that undermines the official booking system.
“We didn’t take money when we reserved the front seats; they are friends,” the employee stated.
Overall, while the advance booking system is intended to streamline travel during busy periods, current practices reveal significant discrepancies that disadvantage many regular travelers.
Acknowledgment of ticket sales before booking opens
On Tuesday, a discussion involving transport businessmen, representatives from the Transport Management Department, and other stakeholders concluded with a decision to open advance ticket booking for Dashain starting September 28.
Transport officials acknowledged that advance tickets have already been distributed since mid-September.
Many travelers express disappointment, noting that those who attempted to book tickets through the regular process found all available seats had already been allocated based on personal connections and relationships.
Bijay Bahadur Swaran, President of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, noted that tickets for daily departures have commenced.
“Online booking will begin on September 28. One can book tickets a day or two in advance,” he explained, comparing the system to airline bookings, which can be made a month ahead.
He emphasized that advance booking should be viewed differently, primarily benefiting regular route travelers.
Swaran pointed out that on days with high passenger demand, only one regular vehicle, known as a Q vehicle, may operate, while additional vehicles should be dispatched to accommodate the influx.
He acknowledged that while rules typically prohibit selling reserve tickets after a Q vehicle is removed, this does not apply during Dashain.
He further clarified that passengers are not informed of the vehicle number at the time of ticket purchase, even with advance payments, to manage expectations regarding which vehicle will arrive.
Deknath Gautam, General Secretary of the Federation, claimed that ticket cutting is currently not being practiced. He assured that actions would be taken if such issues arise following official notifications.
“Members of the Federation have not engaged in such practices and will not,” Gautam stated, promising swift action upon receiving reports of misconduct.
Each year during Dashain, around two to 2.5 million passengers leave the Kathmandu Valley.
Given the limited number of regular route vehicles, transport operators often hire additional vehicles to meet demand.
A businessman noted, “Most of our regular passengers are already booked, and now we are renting extra cars based on remaining demand.”
No action can be taken: Department officials
Officials from the Regulatory Transport Management Department state that they cannot take action against verbal seat reservations made without ticket payments in cash.
Ishwari Datta Paneru, the Department’s Information Officer, explained that if these practices occur before official booking opens and without any coercion, the Department cannot intervene.
He noted that similar situations have occurred in the past, such as with Araniko Transport, which began charging for tickets to eastern districts.
The passenger criticized this arrangement as collusion between the state and transport operators, aimed at profiting while subjecting travelers to unnecessary hardship.
“That is purely a business matter,” Paneru remarked, adding that the Department has requested the Federation to facilitate advance ticket bookings due to the high demand during Dashain.
Paneru emphasized that, even if tickets are sold this way, transport operators cannot charge higher fares.
He assured that immediate action would be taken if there are complaints of overcharging.
Passengers returning empty-handed
Passengers arriving at the new bus park to purchase tickets for Dashain are leaving empty-handed.
Ticket counter employees are telling them to “come back when advance ticket booking opens” or “return on the day you want to travel.”
Many travelers express disappointment, noting that those who attempted to book tickets through the regular process found all available seats had already been allocated based on personal connections and relationships.
A passenger at the bus park recounted, “They tell you to come after advance bookings open, but when you do, they say the tickets are sold out. On the day of departure, they turn you away, claiming there are no tickets left,” forcing many to endure long hours standing on crowded buses.
The passenger criticized this arrangement as collusion between the state and transport operators, aimed at profiting while subjecting travelers to unnecessary hardship.
As a result, countless passengers suffer each year due to the lack of advance booking for long and medium-distance public transport.
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