Transport entrepreneurs suggest ways to improve public transport

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 14: Public transport entrepreneurs have suggested the government establish a competent transport authority for the improvement of public transport in the country. Handing over a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at a meeting yesterday, a delegation of such entrepreneurs affiliated with the Republican Transport Entrepreneurs Association made such a recommendation.

“The registration of associations and committees in the transport sector should be resumed and a transport directorate or authority be established. Similarly, there is a need to scrap unnecessary tax revenues imposed on public transport vehicles, register vehicles as per the provinces and set up training centers for producing drivers,” they demanded.

The delegation led by the president of the Association, Gyanendra Shrestha, also called for the abolition of the five per cent value-added tax imposed on transportation, including transport workers in the social security fund, investments in public transport and removal of the impractical traffic fine policy.

Likewise, the policy imposed of banning public vehicles over the age of 20 years should be reviewed and the system of allowing vehicles coming from India to operate in Nepal without restrictions, according to the Treasurer of the Association Purushottam Sinkhada.