Recently, we have seen some disturbing cases of suicide involving people who work in transport and are responsible for taking passengers safely to their destinations. A few months ago, Ganesh Nepali, a Pathao rider, set himself on fire. A few days ago, a bus driver whose identity is still unknown set himself and his bus on fire and died.
These incidents make us wonder: How safe are we when we travel with someone else? How do we know about a driver’s mental health or their knowledge of traffic rules? When I see speeding and rough driving, I sometimes ask myself, “Do they realize how many people’s lives are in their hands?”
In the past, airline pilots faced questions after plane crashes. Now, they have regular health checkups. What about public transport drivers? Anyone with a valid license can work for a ride-sharing app and carry passengers, but how do we know if they are mentally fit for the job?
We have seen videos of riders arguing with passengers. What could happen if a driver who is struggling with their mental health reacts badly?
It is time for the Nepal government and the Ministry of Transport to take the mental health of public transport drivers seriously. I also humbly request ride-sharing companies to screen drivers properly and provide regular health checkups.
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