Our Company is Committed to Sustainable Transportation.

We recognize that safe and sustainable transportation contributes to the overall experience of our clients and the impact of their journey to our country. Our company therefore endeavors to encourage our clients to consider the most sustainable transport available for their travel route. We encourage our suppliers to work with us and to improve continuously concerning the Policy.

Wherever possible, all staff will pursue the following goals and adhere to the specified principles when purchasing products, materials, and services.

Scope

This policy will be part of the Sustainability Policy. The policy is applicable to the transportation activities conducted by our company and our suppliers.

This policy is effective immediately after approval by the Managing Director and circulation to staff. The policy will be formally reviewed every 2 years to ensure its relevancy. The Managing Director or an officer delegated with such authority must approve any deviations to this policy.

Sustainable Transportation Principles

Our sustainable transportation policy has the following core principles:

Efficient and Safe

Considering comfort, efficiency, and pricing our company gives preference to mass transportation/public transportation over private/single transportation.  At the same time, we prefer the safest and most comfortable option (e.g. tourist bus companies over local bus companies).

Fair Mobility

All vehicles should comply with the rules and regulations imposed by the government of Nepal. Vehicles are regularly and properly maintained and drivers are well taken care of under good labor conditions (minimum wage, reasonable working times, proper breaks, etc.).

Minimizes Effect on the Environment and Society

The transportation supplier places a high priority on sustainable practices, aiming at minimizing its effect on the surrounding environment and society.

General Sustainability Considerations

The following considerations should be made in the operation of each of these specific transportation services:

Public Buses

• When selecting public buses, we give preference to tourist buses over general buses, as these follow stricter safety rules.
• Where possible, our company will participate in any advisory forum for the enhancement of the public bus system.

Own Vehicles

• Where private transportation is requested by the client, we utilize our newest and most energy-friendly cars.
• All vehicles are checked by the Department of Transport Management regularly only, they only provide green stickers to the vehicles which don’t affect the environment. All our vehicles hold the green sticker.
• A first aid kit and waste collection bag are kept in each vehicle.
• We provide the different vehicles based on the group size.

Vehicles from Third Party

• All vehicles that we hire from the transport company should hold the green sticker provided by the Department of Transport Management.
• Vehicles should be regularly and properly maintained.
• A first aid kit and waste collection bag should be kept on the vehicle.
• We will request the right vehicle for the group size.

Drivers

• They are well informed about our sustainable transportation guidelines (with emphasis on “clean and safe”) and understand and follow our Code of Conduct for Drivers.
• Should be physically and mentally fit to ensure safe driving.
• Are well informed on health and safety regulations and traffic rules.
• Have quality driving and communication skills.

Flights

• Because of the bad condition of the roads and the long time that overland journeys take, we sometimes use flights for longer distances within the country, as it saves a lot of time.

Safety Checklist

Ace the Himalaya cares for the customers, their travel experience, comfort, and safety during travel. We check for the quality of the bus/coach daily before heading out either pick up or drop off. Servicing is done weekly basis while undergoing a detailed safety audit quarterly.

Some safety checklist that is used during inspections to ensure the best safety standards.

Exterior Inspection

All the exterior bodies such as Tires and wheels, doors and locks, wipers and washer fluid, mirrors and windows, lights and indicators, and other body conditions are ensured, inspected, and verified before traveling.

Interior Inspection

Seat belts, seats, instrument panels, flooring, emergency exits, and interior lighting are tested, and functional and ensure they are clean and accessible.

Safety Equipment

A First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher, Emergency Hammer, and seat belt cutter are available for emergencies.

Mechanical Inspection

Steering System, Brakes, suspension, battery, exhaust, engine oil, and fluids are inspected to avoid damage and ensure a smooth and safe ride.

This checklist is followed to ensure a safe, secure, and comfortable riding experience for all guests.

Code of Conduct for Drivers

All drivers who operate for Ace the Himalaya shall understand and follow these codes of conduct.

Safe Driving

• Check your vehicle before the journey to ensure that your vehicle is within safe operating conditions. Checks should include
• Proper inflation of tires;
• Clean windows;
• Mirrors properly adjusted;
• Brakes, lights, windscreen wipers, and wash jets are in working order.
• Drive within the speed limit at all times. You should drive at speeds that are safe for the conditions, recognizing that, in some circumstances (such as before and in curves, on the damaged or unpaved top layer, in rain or fog) this may be well below the posted speed limit.
• Wear a seat belt at all times, and ensure passengers do the same.
• Look as far ahead as possible and anticipate what other traffic is going to do. Avoid unnecessary braking and fast acceleration.
• Drive courteously by letting other vehicles merge and pass where appropriate. Be patient with other drivers’ mistakes and misbehavior. Also, be extra careful around pedestrians and cyclists, allowing them sufficient space and time to move about.
• When you know you will have to stop soon, release the gas, and roll out in free gear.
• Traffic Metropolitan Police has strictly prohibited driving under the influence of alcohol, medications, or other drugs that are likely to affect alertness or driving performance. We provide awareness classes to our drivers not to drive if they use any alcohol or are unfit.
• Plan a realistic driving schedule and stop for appropriate breaks.
• Our drivers are strictly forbidden to use/answer the Mobile phones while driving. We contact them via SMS and can reply when they are free.
• When leaving the vehicle, properly lock it and ensure that any personal belongings of our guests are kept safe.

Essential Guidelines on Sustainable Driving Techniques

Sustainable driving techniques are mandatory to minimize environmental impact and enhance fuel efficiency. These steps help us to align with our commitment to sustainability and responsible travel. Here are some of the sustainable driving practices we intend to implement:

• Accelerate Smoothly: Accelerate gradually, avoid sudden rapid speed changes to save fuel.
• Brake Gently: Promote gentle braking. Slow down early by watching the road ahead.
• Keep a Steady Speed: Drive within the recommended speed limit between 50-70 km/h to increase fuel efficiency.
• Turn-Off the Engine: If stopped for over 2 minutes, switch off the engine to save fuel and reduce emissions.
• Shift Gears Early: Shift gear early and smoothly to maintain lower RPMs and improve fuel efficiency by reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
• Avoid Revving: Don’t rev the engine when idle or moving slowly, as it consumes more fuel.
• Use AC Sparingly: Choose for windows and ventilation. Use air conditioning only when needed, as it increases fuel consumption by up to 20%.
• Plan Efficient Routes: Use short and efficient routes based on your knowledge or use GPS to choose the optimized route and avoid congested areas, if possible.
• Check Tire Pressure: Keep tires properly inflated/pressurized. Regularly check tire pressure for safety and fuel efficiency.
• Follow Maintenance Schedules: Regular and timely service (oil, filters) keeps the vehicle running efficiently and reduces fuel consumption.
• Reduce Extra Weight: Remove non-essential items from vehicles to increase fuel efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

• Switch to a higher gear quickly (when you drive 80 km/h, you should drive in 5th gear | when driving 50 km/h, in 4th gear)
• Drive as much as possible at a uniform speed at a high gear. This decreases fuel consumption considerably.
• Turn on the engine just before leaving. If you want to cool the vehicle for the passengers, turn on the engine only five minutes before the guests arrive.
• Switch off the engine when you have to wait. (Already for a stop of 20 seconds, it makes sense to switch off the engine.)
• When guests are on an excursion, switch off the air conditioning and engine. Let the tour guide call you when they are about to return and turn back on the engine only five minutes before the guests arrive.

Sustainable Management

• Keep your vehicle clean and suitable for our clients at all times. This includes keeping your vehicle smoke-free.
• Be punctual and dress appropriately.
• Where necessary assist passengers into and out of the vehicle.
• Ensure there is a waste bag/bin on board the vehicle and point this out to clients before departure. Empty this waste regularly, at least once a day.
• Listen carefully to specific requests from the clients and adjust your driving style accordingly.

Society

• Horns are used only when it is necessary.
• Limit the Speed limit when you are driving through the community.
• Avoid unwanted lighting near the community.
• Take whatever additional action is necessary to avoid disturbance to residents of the neighborhoods you pass through.