With hundreds of people leaving the capital city for their constituencies to vote in the National Assembly election on March 24, private bus operators say that all buses plying from Thimphu to other parts of the country are booked till March 23.

“We were shocked to find that all tickets to Bumthang were already booked,” said a disappointed Bumtap couple, who wanted to travel on March 16. “We have no options but to travel by taxi.” The Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) officials estimate that at least more than a hundred people are leaving for eastern Bhutan and about 50 to Gelephu daily.

“A number of permits were issued to private and DCM trucks to ferry voters during the poll day,” said RSTA’s chief transport officer, Bola Gyeltshen. “They’ll transport voters at the same rate as the buses.”

The RSTA is also looking for other options to ensure that voters reach their constituencies on time. Bola Gyeltshen said that the RSTA has approached the finance ministry for approval to operate the five buses, which the Bhutan Post had bought for use during the coronation celebrations.

“If approved, it’s expected to solve the transportation problem to some extent, particularly for long distance travel, where trucks would prove inconvenient,” said the transport officer. “The cost of operations will be met from the revenue generated.”

RSTA has deployed seven additional buses, which have started transporting passengers from Thimphu to other parts of the country. However, the buses will stop plying after the election.

Meanwhile, RSTA has warned taxi-drivers from charging extra fares during the rush. A meeting was held on March 4 between the Election Commission of Bhutan and the transport authority, where they decided that taxi-drivers would be penalized, according to ECB and RSTA rules, if they were found charging exorbitant fares.

Buses scheduled to travel on March 24 have been rescheduled to March 22 and 23. “The arrangements were made because no one will be travelling on March 24, which is the election day,” said the transport officer.

Evening bus service

A private transport operator has started an evening daily bus service between Phuentsholing and Thimphu.

Khorlo transport’s evening coaster service, which leaves at 4 pm from both Thimphu and Phuentsholing, has started since February 28.

The bus will ply at the same rate and drop passengers at their respective destinations at a reasonable fare, according to RSTA’s chief transport officer. “If the road or weather is bad, we won’t send the bus,” he said.

Although the service is yet to pick up, those using the evening service said that it had made travelling convenient.

“I can complete my official work during the day in Thimphu and return to Phuentsholing in the evening. My father stays alone and I keep visiting Thimphu frequently. It’s indeed very convenient,” said a passenger, Vishma Rai.

Source: Kuenselonline