News Summary
Reviewed.
- The government’s 100-point reform agenda approved on March 26 does not prioritize improvements in public transportation.
- The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has committed only to initiatives such as operating electric blue buses and preventing gender-based violence.
- Experts emphasize the need to dismantle transport cartels, introduce nighttime services, and enforce stricter regulations in public transportation.
March 30, Kathmandu — One of the most complex issues faced by the general public is public transportation. This is believed to be one of the key reasons why the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a significant number of votes.
However, the 100-point administrative reform agenda approved by the cabinet led by Balendra Shah on March 26 does not give priority to substantial reforms in public transportation.
The cabinet-approved agenda largely reflects only the blue bus service initiative that RSP had included in its manifesto, which many consider insufficient. The manifesto sets a primary goal of operating 25 electric blue buses within the first 100 days.
Additionally, there is a pledge to provide free bus service for women’s safe travel across all seven provinces. Apart from this, the manifesto includes just two measures: installing CCTV cameras in vehicles to prevent gender-based violence in public transport.
The quality and safety of public transportation in Nepal are highly complex issues. According to Nepal Police data, seven people die daily in road accidents. While two-wheeler vehicles cause more accidents overall, the fatality rate in public transport accidents is higher. Using public transportation in urban areas remains particularly challenging.
Experts point out that until a well-organized urban transport system is established, public suffering will not be alleviated. Enforcing strict rules such as boarding and disembarking only at designated stops, limiting passengers to the number of seats available, and prohibiting vehicles from stopping outside scheduled times could bring improvements.
Consumer rights activist Madhav Timalsina says significant change cannot be expected from the current public transport structure. Adding school children to buses primarily used by office workers results in severe overcrowding during midday and evening hours.
This overcrowding makes traveling highly uncomfortable for passengers who cannot find seats.
He suggests that schools should operate their own vehicles and that strict regulations should bar students from using public transport.
Currently, public transport is heavily controlled by entire organizations through informal agreements, forcing buses to pick up passengers only at fixed locations and making other vehicles wait, which wastes passengers’ time.
According to Timalsina, removing these organizations would allow drivers to operate more vehicles at essential stops, reducing seat shortages. He stressed that the government must take a strong role in implementing these reforms.
Public transportation in Nepal generally ceases operations after 8 p.m. “The absence of nighttime public transport is one of the biggest injustices by the state,” he said. “Not everyone can afford private vehicles, and taxis or private transportation at night are expensive.”
He emphasized that the government must make nighttime public transportation safe and reliable. Moreover, unprofessional and unpleasant behavior by drivers and conductors often deteriorates the travel experience for passengers.
Ignoring these issues could lead to reduced public trust and lowered expectations from the government, he warned.
Both short- and long-distance public transportation sectors face problems. Drivers tend to focus more on fare hikes than on improving service quality.
They attempt to conceal problems by blaming poor infrastructure, roads, and police inspections. The private sector monopoly and lack of government regulatory power are primary reasons for the dire state of public transportation.
What Does RSP’s Manifesto Include?
RSP’s manifesto pledges to completely eliminate transportation cartels and monopolies in long-distance bus services and promote healthy competition with safe services. It commits to making city bus services in major urban centers effective, safe, comfortable, and reliable.
The plan proposes developing a centralized ticketing and fare distribution system under integrated management.
It also includes customs exemptions to promote electric bus use and preparing sustainable master plans for public transportation development on key routes in Kathmandu Valley and the Terai region.
To improve road safety, the manifesto promises GPS tracking on all public vehicles, AI-based traffic cameras, digital fine systems, and strict enforcement of speed and lane discipline. There is a commitment to reduce accidents within the first year and to develop infrastructure ensuring pedestrian safety.
