Dashain travel: passenger help desks open nationwide, urge no overcharging of fares

Passenger help desks began operating from Friday at the New Bus Park in Gongabu, Kathmandu, to ease the journey for passengers returning home for Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.

Kathmandu Valley Police Office chief, Additional Inspector General Sushil Singh Rathour, inaugurated the help desk.

The desk was opened through a joint initiative of the Traffic Police, the Department of Transport Management, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and transport entrepreneurs and workers.

Such help desks will be set up at 15 locations across the Valley, including the New Bus Park, Machhapokhari, Kalanki, Balkhu, Naagdhunga, Koteshwor, Chabahil and Bhimdhunga.

Passengers will be able to get travel-related information and lodge complaints at the desks.

Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation President Saroj Sitaula urged operators not to charge even one rupee more than the fixed fare.

He said discussions are underway with the government and concerned bodies on opening advance ticket booking, and that similar help desks would be operated in other provinces and districts as well.

In Koshi Province too, police have started help desks at various locations, including Biratnagar Bus Park. Koshi Province Police Chief, Deputy Inspector General Shekhar Khanal, said at the inauguration that the desks were opened so passengers would not have to go looking for police if they face problems.

Such help desks have also been opened at Ramailodanda in Okhaldhunga district headquarters and at Harkapur in Manebhanjyang.