National
Route permits across country open to all
After bringing down the public transport syndicate standing against the route permit for a new carrier on the Araniko Highway, the government seems to be going after other transport cartels across the country.Chandan Kumar Mandal
After bringing down the public transport syndicate standing against the route permit for a new carrier on the Araniko Highway, the government seems to be going after other transport cartels across the country.
The Department of Transport Management on Friday directed all its offices to open route permits on all the roads for competitive distribution.The DoTM recently amended the Transport Management Directives- 2004, which allows for any company to get route permits in any parts of the country in a hassle-free manner.
“After amending the existing guidelines, we have directed all the offices to implement the new provisions that have come into force. The new route permits are now open to all,” said DoTM Spokesperson Tulasi Ram Aryal.
“We’ve instructed them [offices] to issue route permits to any company that meets the set criteria and procedure. They have been asked to act tough on the existing syndicates by issuing new permits to interested companies.”
Following the disruption caused by a group of 11 passenger transport committees operating on the route east of Koteshwor, the transport department amended the directives to allow more carriers to openly compete in the sector.
The DoTM has done away with recommendation from such committees, a hurdle for new entrants in seeking route permits.“Syndicate in public transport has persisted because the existing committees do not accept new entrants.
Now, new companies won’t need such reference from these committees, meaning anyone interested in the market for healthy services can apply for road permit in any part of the country after registering with the DoTM,” said Aryal. Earlier, only those receiving approval from such committees would get the licence to operate.
Companies seeking new permits or changing the route must register at the DoTM, after being enlisted at the Office of the Company Registrar.The company requires third-party insurance, tax clearance, at least five vehicles, appointment letters for drivers and helpers and document of the building its office is housed in for registration with the DoTM.After registration, the document is forwarded to the respective Transport Management Office. Once the office receives the application, it will analyse technical aspects of the route such as the road condition and passenger numbers before issuing the route permit.
Syndicates, which exist in different parts of the country, block entry of interested companies, who provide better facilities to passengers often at cheaper rates, to curb competition.