KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has tightened rules for route permits and the operation of public vehicles.
The department issued an eight-point directive to the transport-related ministries of all seven provinces on Wednesday. It has instructed authorities to strictly implement the existing legal provisions while issuing route permits.
Under the new directive, jeep-type vehicles with 8 to 14 seats, including the Tata Sumo and Mahindra Bolero, can only receive route permits for routes of up to 250 km. Microbuses will be allowed to operate on routes of up to 300 km.
The department has also made technical inspections and pollution tests mandatory for public vehicles. Such vehicles must undergo technical and pollution testing every six months.
Public vehicles will only be allowed to operate at night if night service is approved by the relevant vehicle testing office. Regular, deluxe and super deluxe passenger vehicles must operate according to the category mentioned in their route permits and charge the prescribed maximum fare.
The department has also directed authorities to stop unauthorized alterations, overwriting or additions in route permit documents.
Vehicles whose permits specify daytime operation will only be allowed to operate during the day. Night service can only be operated if it is officially included in the route permit.
The department has also instructed authorities not to allow private four-wheelers with red number plates to operate as public vehicles.
The DoTM said it has received repeated complaints about violations of these provisions. It has directed the concerned authorities to closely monitor public transport operations and take action against violations under the prevailing law.
The directive has also been sent to the seven vehicle testing offices, traffic police and the National Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs for implementation.
