Transport entrepreneurs have said that they are not in a state to immediately start resumption of service despite the government giving permission to resume.
General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Saroj Sitaula said the entrepreneurs are not even in a state to bring out the vehicles kept in garages for over three months. "Tires have rotten, batteries are down, engines broken, engine oil has to be replaced and many more technical problems. The entrepreneurs do not even have money to pay for all that. The government must make refinancing arrangements to address that," Sitaula told Setopati. "The mechanics are still in villages even if some entrepreneurs may manage the money."
He added that the entrepreneurs did not even get time for preparation as the government took the decision unilaterally without even consulting them. He also accused the government of ignoring the health risk for transport workers and passengers. "Who will do health insurance for the workers and who will provide materials for safety? It will be public transportation system that will be blamed if someone were to get infected," he argued.
He pointed that the entrepreneurs and workers may leave the sector if the government does not postpone payment of bank installments, make refinancing arrangements, facilitate renewal of documents of the vehicles and drivers and other works.
Making Cabinet decisions public on Thursday, Government Spokesperson and Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada said the Cabinet has decided to allow public transportation vehicles to operate within a district after meeting the health standards. The three districts in the Kathmandu Valley will be considered one and inter-district transport will not be allowed elsewhere.
The government also decided to allow taxis in cities. The taxis also will not be allowed to go to another district outside the Valley. Odd-even system will continue for private vehicles.
All the passengers must wear face mask in public transportation vehicles and use sanitizers while the driver will also have to don gloves and mask.
The vehicles will have to keep only one passenger in a single row of seat meaning they cannot carry more than 50 percent of the seating capacity. They can charge a 50 percent higher fare.
