Oct 28, Kathmandu- The Traffic Police and the Department of Transport Management have intensified the monitoring after the complaints of public transport in the Kathmandu Valley cheating the passengers by taking more than the prescribed fare. The monitoring has been intensified by the Metropolitan Traffic Division and the Department of Transport Management after complaints were received those short-distance vehicles plying in the capital did not return Rs 3 for a 5 km journey and Rs 3 for a 10 km journey. As per the adjusted fare from Kartik 1, the fare for the 5 km distance was fixed at Rs 18 and for the 10 km distance at Rs 23.

According to the Traffic Police, the number of complaints has been very low even though the government has increased the fares as per the demand of the businessmen. Spokesperson of the Division, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Sharma Das said, “Only 9 people have lodged complaints in the last 10 days. We have refunded Rs 2 to the passengers for taking more action. '

He informed that action has been taken against 108 vehicles till Wednesday and now a fine of up to Rs 1,500 has been levied. He has also called for filing a complaint against the over-rented vehicles. The Department of Transport Management has warned to file a case of fraud against the vehicles charging more than the stipulated amount by the state government. Department spokesperson Dr Loknath Bhusal said that action has been taken against 19 vehicles so far.

Asked if such a problem would arise if the fare was fixed at Rs 20 instead of Rs 18 and Rs 23, the spokesperson said. Bhusal said, “The department cannot decide on the scientific fare fixed by the government. However, there is a tendency for passengers to be deceived and vehicles to become richer when renting odd numbers." Stating that there is no need to wait in line to get coins at the bank, he said that further complications could arise if the government does not manage the rent. The department has reiterated that co-drivers should carry coins and take only the prescribed fare from the passengers. The government had increased the public transport fare on the Antar Pradesh Highway by 28 % with effect from Ashar 29.