July 21: Transport entrepreneurs have reached an understanding with the government to resume public transportation service from Wednesday (July 22).

Transport entrepreneurs made such announcement following a meeting with the Director General of the Department of Transport Management Gogan Bahadur Hamal on Monday. The two sides discussed about the work procedure on resuming public transportation service. During the meeting, DoTM agreed to bear 50 percent premium for the insurance coverage of those involved in transportation service. DoTM, on behalf of the government, agreed to pay 50 percent insurance premium against coronavirus for drivers and helpers of public vehicles. Government authorities also agreed to recommending setting up a fund for providing relief to drivers and helpers in case they die of coronavirus. Following the understanding, the transport entrepreneurs agreed to resume their service from Wednesday.

Although the government had decided to lift a ban on public transport last week, some transport entrepreneurs and workers’ union had decided not to resume service without getting assurance from the government. They were demanding security of frontline workers and relief during the lockdown period as a precondition for resuming their service.

The transport entrepreneurs showed flexibility in resuming service after a meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Their concerns were also addressed by the monetary policy for the upcoming fiscal year. However, they were still reluctant to resume service outright due to the security of drivers and helpers.   

Meanwhile, DoTM has assured the transport entrepreneurs that it will take initiative to resume long-route vehicles as well.