Oct 09, Kathmandu - The government has revised the fare rates for inter-provincial electric vehicles operating on short, medium, and long routes. The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) officially published the adjusted fare list on Thursday, standardizing costs for both passenger and freight transport across the Terai and hilly regions.

According to the DoTM, the new per-kilometer fare structure for electric passenger vehicles has been set as follows:

• Long routes in Terai (Over 250 km on paved/gravel roads): Rs. 2.93 per passenger per km.
• Medium routes (25 km to 250 km): Rs. 3.00 per passenger per km.
• Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Narayangadh sections: Rs. 3.24 per passenger per km.

Premium Service Surcharges

Vehicles offering premium services can charge additional fees. DoTM-certified "Deluxe" vehicles are permitted to add a 20% surcharge to the standard fare. Similarly, "Super Deluxe" vehicles can charge an additional 20% on top of the Deluxe fare rate.

Mandatory Discounts and Safety Regulations

The department has also issued a strict code of conduct for transport operators:

• Unrestricted Discounts: Operators must provide mandatory fare concessions to students, people with disabilities, and senior citizens upon presentation of an original ID card. These concessions must be honored unconditionally, without restrictions on specific routes, daily quotas, or days of the week.
• Night Bus Safety: Long-route night buses are strictly required to have two drivers on board.
• Staff Identification: Drivers and co-drivers must wear their designated uniforms or visible ID cards.

The DoTM warned of strict action against operators found overcharging passengers. Victims of fare manipulation can file complaints via the "Hello Sarkar" toll-free number 1111 or the Traffic Police hotline at 103.

Freight Fare Adjustments

Alongside passenger vehicles, the government has also adjusted the transport fares for electric cargo trucks, based on a standard 10-ton capacity load:

• Terai routes: Rs. 7.72 per ton per kilometer.
• Hilly routes: Rs. 14.77 per ton per kilometer.

Based on these rates, the DoTM has fixed specific route fares for cargo transport. The freight charge for the Birgunj–Kathmandu route (hilly road) is set at Rs. 31,446, while the Bhairahawa–Kathmandu route is fixed at Rs. 32,141.