Drivers of public vehicles and school buses might be required to follow a certain dress code under a new proposal being considered by the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD). 

“We are planning to introduce a formal dress code for public and school bus drivers with a view to making them more responsible and accountable,” said Umesh Ranjitkar, spokesperson for the MTPD. 

The MTPD is considering a grey safari suit for these drivers, however, it is yet to be finalised, according to officials. In the first phase, the new rule will be applicable to school bus drivers in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, for which the MTPD said it has held consultations with the Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (Pabson) and National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association Nepal (N-Pabsan).  

“We have already started taking initiatives to this effect,” said DK Dhungana, acting president of Pabson. 

Pabson, according to Dhungana, has already asked schools under it to paint their vehicles in yellow and make uniforms for the drivers. 

At present private schools in Kathmandu Valley own 4,000 vehicles, according to Pabson. 

Dhungana said all private schools will follow the new dress code for drivers by the end of this month. 

As far as public vehicles are concerned, the MTPD said it would hold a meeting with the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), transport entrepreneurs and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) on Monday to discuss the matter. 

Tok Raj Pandey, spokesperson for the DoTM, hoped that the new dress code rule would be helpful in making public bus drivers more accountable which could immensely contribute to reduce accidents.