Public transportation fare hike comes into effect

The commuters will have to pay minimum Rs. 15 for the shortest travel in public vehicles in Kathmandu Valley following the price hike by enforced by the government, which came into effect from Friday.

The government has increased the public transportation fare by 9 percent while 3.74 percent and 16 percent has been raised in cargo carriers (trucks and tankers) operating in hills and Terai routes respectively.

As per the revision of the transportation fares, public transportation fare is up by Re. 1 while the cargo carriers’ charge went up to Rs. 5.40 per tonne per km in the Terai routes and Rs. 10.10 per tonne per km in Hill routes.

However, the government has not hiked taxi fares though the Nepal Metre Taxi Entrepreneurs’ Association has been demanding an increase of 15 percent.

Meanwhile, consumers’ right activists have condemned the government decision to raise the transportation fares, saying the decision is taken without scientific study of fares. Nepalnews.com