Rapti Zone Public Bus Transport Entrepreneurs’ Committee has finally agreed to end syndicate system in transport system, paving the way for new entrepreneurs to enter the business.

The move will enable Malika Kalika Transport Private Limited (MKTPL), a new player, to introduce deluxe buses on Dang-Kathmandu route.

The new transport committee said that it would start deluxe bus service on Dang-Kathmandu route from Saturday.

During a meeting held at the District Administration Office on Friday, the Rapti transport committee committed that it would not obstruct services provided by other operators who are not its members.

Earlier, the committee had warned of obstructing any bus service operated without its approval.  

Although the Supreme Court has already decided against the syndicate system terming it illegal, the government has failed to implement the court order.

“Nobody will now obstruct the legally operated transport system,” said Superintendent of Police Kuber Kadayat, Chief of Dang District Police Office. “An agreement between the two transport committees has been reached not to obstruct each other’s operations,” he said. Malika Kalika Transport’s General Secretary Gehendra Oli said that Chief District Officer Deepak Kafle assured them during the discussion that those going against the law would face action. On Wednesday, Malika Kalika’ buses were targeted with stones when it brought buses under police escorting. Oli said that their five buses were damaged in Lamahi, Gogli and Ghorahi.

The new transport committee has kept its buses at an Armed Police Force base camp in Tulsipur, Dang.

Oli said that they would operate one night bus from Dang to Kathmandu every day from Saturday onwards.

Earlier, when Malika Kalika announced that it was going to operate deluxe buses, the Rapti transport committee had warned that it would not allow the company to operate its buses.

Oli himself was attacked and the Malika Kalika’s office and ticket counter in Tulsipur was vandalised.

The Rapti transport committee had been obstructing the operation of buses from new companies for long. As a result, people were forced to travel on old buses with bad services.

New entrepreneurs have entered the business with deluxe buses and improved services.

After Malika Kalika brought new busses with improved facilities, the Rapti transport committee had started operating AC buses. Currently, as many as 574 vehicles operate under Rapti Transport Entrepreneurs’ Committee. In Rapti zone, there are 14 transport committees, nine of them are related to passenger service and five related to cargo service. Now, one transport committee each has been registered in Dang, Rukum and Salyan.