KATHMANDU: A few weeks ago the government decided to end the long existed syndicate in public transport sector. The transport entrepreneurs staged protest against it, while the political parties, media sector and general public stood on the side of the government.
The attempt to eliminate the deeply rooted transport syndicate was a commendable move. But the government efforts failed to make much of a difference. Neither the syndicate could be eliminated nor the public transportation system has improved. Unfortunately, the problem of public system has been increasing instead of decreasing after the formation of new government.
The major problems people have faced in public transport are as follows:
Vehicles increasing pollution: The vehicles that produce high toxic pollutants are still moving on the streets. The government’s claim of frequent monitoring of vehicle emission has not lessened the pollution. The authority has not been able to effectively implement the decision to ban 20-year old vehicles that was started since last April. Old vehicles have not only increased pollution but also created nuisances to commuters. People are forced to suffer while they travel in old vehicles, apart from the risks involved.
Delay: The old vehicles have dominated the public transportation sector. People are compelled to travel by hanging on vehicle doors due to lack of sufficient vehicles. On the other hand, these vehicles do not ferry the passengers to their destinations on time. They delay the travel by waiting for passengers at a stop for a longer time and cram the passengers in the bus beyond capacity. However, traffic police have failed to regulate them.
Filth: Many vehicles have not maintained sanitation. The vehicles are dirty and stinking, and with broken and filthy seats. No government authority has monitored it.
Vehicles reduced during office hour: Flow of passengers is higher during rush hours. However, many public buses are used for carrying school students in the morning and evening. As a result, the vehicles are not sufficiently available for passengers. Despite taking permission for specific public transport route, these vehicles are eying more money by offering service to the schools. The concerned authorities are unware of it.
Misbehavior and insulting words: The passengers travelling on public vehicles have to face misbehaviors of drivers and helpers and their insulting and disrespectful words such as ‘why did you ride? The passengers standing on the back passageway or back seat cannot get out easily at their stop. The vehicles staff squeeze the passengers giving hardly any space to breathe.
Misuse of reservation seats: The reservation seats are allocated for senior citizens, disabled and women in the public transportations. However, the seat reservation rule is not effectively implemented. The vehicle staffers have not been cooperative in implementing such rules. Young people unabashedly sit on the seats allocated for senior citizens.
Risk due to unhealthy competition: There is an unhealthy completion among the vehicles operating on the same routes, thus increasing the risks of accidents. They overtake one another to pick more passengers. This tendency has been posing threats to other vehicles and motorbikes. This is one of major problems mainly prevalent in Nepal Yatayat.
Not reaching to destinations: In many cases, the vehicles do not reach the destinations and mail the passengers to other vehicles. Moreover, patients, elderly and disabled people are forced to bear the brunt because of overcrowded vehicles.
Unlawful fares: The fares of public transportation have been fixed by the government. However, the transport entrepreneurs have not implemented it. The passengers have to quarrel or argue with vehicle staff for fair fares.
Scary zebra crossings: The public vehicles have terrorized the zebra crossings made for commuters to cross the roads. The vehicles are stopped on the zebra crossings or they do not care the commuters on the zebra crossings and speed up without taking regarding for the people crossing the road. This has posed threat to the life of commuters.
