The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has issued an eight-point directive to transport ministries in all seven provinces. It requires authorities to enforce existing route-permit rules more strictly.
Jeep-type public vehicles with 8 to 14 seats, including Tata Sumo and Mahindra Bolero, will be eligible for routes of up to 250 km. Microbuses can receive permits for routes of up to 300 km.
Public vehicles must pass technical and pollution tests every six months. Night operations will need approval from the relevant vehicle testing office.
Regular, deluxe and super deluxe passenger vehicles must follow the class stated on their permits and charge no more than the prescribed maximum fare. Vehicles approved for daytime service cannot run at night unless night operation is officially added to the permit.
Authorities have also been told to prevent unauthorized changes, overwriting or additions to permit documents. Private four-wheelers with red number plates cannot be used as public vehicles.
DoTM said it received repeated complaints about violations. Vehicle testing offices, traffic police and the National Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs have also been asked to enforce the directive.
For passengers, the directive should bring clearer vehicle categories, more regular safety checks and tighter control over unauthorized public transport.
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