Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals approaching, the government has decided to extend the advance ticket selling process for long- and medium-distance public transport. This means passengers can buy tickets well before their travel date.
This decision came after a meeting led by the Department of Transport Management (DoTM). Transport operators, traffic police, and civil officials joined the meeting to ensure that the travel experience is smooth for the many people leaving the valley.
In response to complaints about ticket scalping, price hikes, and chaos at main transport hubs, authorities have made some important rules:
- All transport companies must sell advance tickets only at official counters like Gongabu Bus Park.
- Operators should promote digital ticketing if it’s available. They also need to set up help desks at key exit points in the valley, with staff from the Traffic Police and DoTM to monitor fare changes and help passengers with any issues.
Additionally, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has instructed that routine maintenance should be done on highways badly affected by last summer’s rains. This includes important routes like Prithvi Highway and the Narayanghat Mugling section.
“During this busy travel season, we expect about 1.5 to 2 million people will be traveling back to their home districts across Nepal,” said a transport operator. He confirmed that they are preparing extra services for those traveling longer distances from Kathmandu. “Local authorities are ready to carry out strict checks on vehicle conditions, driver hours, and passenger limits to ensure safety on the roads.”