KATHMANDU: Fares for electric buses are significantly lower than those for diesel buses on several intercity routes in Nepal, with the difference reaching Rs 907 per passenger on the same route.
A comparison of fares published by the Department of Transport Management on Friday shows that electric bus fares are up to 16% cheaper than those of diesel- or petrol-powered buses.
The department has published fare rates for electric and fuel-powered passenger vehicles across 280 routes nationwide. However, electric buses may not currently operate on all the routes included in the list.
According to the published rates, the Kathmandu-Attariya-Martadi route to Bajura has the highest fares among the routes listed. On this route, the fare for a regular electric bus is Rs 3,132, compared with Rs 3,762 for a diesel bus. Deluxe electric buses charge Rs 3,759, while diesel deluxe buses charge Rs 4,514. Super deluxe electric buses cost Rs 4,510, compared with Rs 5,417 for diesel buses.
This means passengers can save Rs 630 on regular electric buses, Rs 755 on deluxe buses and Rs 907 on super deluxe buses on the route.
On the Kathmandu-Attariya-Chainpur route in Bajhang, regular, deluxe and super deluxe electric bus fares are Rs 3,115, Rs 3,738 and Rs 4,485, respectively. The corresponding diesel bus fares are Rs 3,741, Rs 4,489 and Rs 5,387. The savings with electric buses are Rs 626, Rs 751 and Rs 902, respectively.
On the Kathmandu-Dhangadhi-Sitagadhi-Sanfebagar route, regular electric bus fares are Rs 2,851, compared with Rs 3,424 for diesel buses. Deluxe electric buses charge Rs 3,421, against Rs 4,109 for diesel buses. Super deluxe fares are Rs 4,105 for electric buses and Rs 4,930 for diesel buses.
Similarly, on the Kathmandu-Attariya-Dadeldhura-Baitadi route, regular electric bus fares are Rs 2,715, deluxe fares are Rs 3,258 and super deluxe fares are Rs 3,909. Diesel bus fares on the same route are Rs 3,260, Rs 3,912 and Rs 4,695, respectively.
On the Mahendranagar-Kakarbhitta route, electric bus fares are Rs 2,620 for regular, Rs 3,143 for deluxe and Rs 3,772 for super deluxe services. The corresponding diesel bus fares are Rs 3,146, Rs 3,775 and Rs 4,530.
The difference is also visible on shorter, popular routes. On the Kathmandu-Pokhara route, regular electric bus fares are Rs 652, compared with Rs 799 for diesel buses. Deluxe fares are Rs 783 for electric buses and Rs 940 for diesel buses, while super deluxe fares are Rs 939 and Rs 1,128, respectively.
On the Kathmandu-Butwal route, regular electric bus fares are Rs 790, deluxe fares are Rs 947 and super deluxe fares are Rs 1,137. Diesel bus fares on the same route are Rs 948, Rs 1,138 and Rs 1,365, respectively.
The department’s published fare lists show that electric buses are generally cheaper across most of the routes included in the comparison.
Passengers can check the official fare lists for electric vehicles and diesel- and petrol-powered vehicles for route-specific details.
