Public transport, cargo fares up by as much as 3.3%

KATHMANDU: The government has raised public transport fares by up to 3.3%.

Issuing a notice on Monday, the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) stated that inter-provincial passenger fares have been increased by 3.3%. Similarly, cargo fares on hilly routes have risen by 0.81%, while those on Tarai routes saw a marginal increase of 0.05%.

Transport companies offering deluxe bus services can levy an additional 20% surcharge on the revised fare, according to the DoTM.

Passenger buses are now allowed to charge Rs 2.93 per kilometer for routes longer than 250 kilometers in the Tarai region, up from the existing Rs 2.84 per kilometer. Similarly, buses operating on Tarai routes of 25-250 kilometers are permitted to charge Rs 3 per kilometer. A bus ticket for the longest route from Kathmandu—Kathmandu-Attariya-Martadi (944.6 km)—will now cost Rs 3,130.

The fare adjustments are based on a formula that gives 35% weightage to fuel cost and 65% to other factors such as investment, operational expenses and market trends. According to Bhimarjun Adhikari, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the decision was approved at a minister-level following a market study conducted by the DoTM.

This is the first adjustment in public transport fares since August 16, 2023.