September 29, Kathmandu 

The Department of Transportation is preparing to open advance ticket booking for public transport at the end of Ashwin for Dashain. However, department has stated that the date for opening advance ticket booking will be fixed only after discussions with transport businessmen.

The department estimates that about 500,000 people will leave the Valley for Dashain this year. The department estimates that this number will be reduced by about four percent this year as 2 million people left the valley in the last Dashain. 

Transport businessmen, however, said that they were confused about booking tickets in advance. According to the businessmen, advance ticket booking is in confusion as the pressure of passengers leaving Kathmandu Valley will not be as high as in previous years due to the Corona pandemic. 

The government has made a rule that only 50 percent passengers can be kept in the seats by taking 50 percent more fare in public transport. However, businessmen are demanding that all seats in the transport should be allowed to carry passengers. Entrepreneurs are of the view that this demand should be addressed before the opening of Dashain advance ticket booking.

Last year, the ticket counters used to be crowded a month before Dashain, but this time it is deserted. Entrepreneurs have been saying that it is not necessary to open advance ticket booking.

As the government has announced to lock down again if the number of active infected people reaches 25,000, the number of people leaving Kathmandu and returning to their villages is increasing. However, due to the fear of Corona on public transport, most of the passengers have returned in private vehicles. Entrepreneurs have been saying that the number of people returning in public transport has decreased.

Of the 2 million people who left the Kathmandu Valley in the previous Dashain, it is estimated that very few will leave this time. The federation has also urged those who are in leisure time and have to travel outside the Kathmandu Valley to travel safely now considering the state of the disease.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs has demanded a review of the government's policy on public transport operations.

The Department of Transportation has stated that it is yet to discuss with the businessmen about the advance ticket booking, safety measures to be protected from corona virus during the journey. Meanwhile, the businessmen have written a letter to the government demanding to correct the decision of carrying only half of the passengers.