After Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) slashed the prices of petroleum products this week, the Department of Transportation Management (DoTM) is set to reduce the transportation fare within a week.

The NOC reviewed the fuel prices on Monday as their prices fell in the international market. The national oil monopoly has reduced Rs 5 per litre in petrol and Rs 6 per litre in diesel and kerosene.

As per the new revised rate, petrol now costs Rs 99 per litre, and diesel and kerosene cost Rs 75 per litre.

DoTM Director Basanta Adhikari said a ministerial level decision is on the

way to adjust the transportation fare.

“This time the fare will adjusted more scientifically,” he said. “Even the travel fare for long route will be lowered.”

The actual percentage of decrease in fare, however, has not been mentioned yet.

This is not the first time the DoTM has announced to reduce the transportation fare. Four months ago, it had announced to decrease the fare, but the decision was not implemented due to the protest of transportation entrepreneurs.  

Transportation entrepreneurs have been charging high fare on passengers in the recent time on account of fuel shortage in the country. They have also stopped giving students’ discount.

Roshan Pokharel, a consumers’ rights activist, said the DoTM has sorely failed to check the misconducts of public transportation providers.

“They are fleecing the passengers, claiming that they have been buying fuel in the black market. They are not allowed to do so and the authorities should not hesitate to take action against them,” Pokharel said.