KMC to support operating night bus service from April 14

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is all set to extend support to Sajha Yatayat, to start operating night public transport services from April 14 coinciding the Nepal’s official New Year. The service provides public transport services on two major routes with four electric buses.

Lagankhel to Budhanilakantha, the north-south route spans 16 kilometers. That passes through Patan Hospital, Alka Hospital, Norvic Hospital, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Trauma Center, Bir Hospital, Kanti Children’s Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, and Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center.

Similarly, Thankot to Tribhuvan International Airport, the east-west route covers 20 kilometers. That passes through Satungal, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwor, Thapathali, Maitighar Mandala, Baneshwor, Minbhawan, and Tinkune.

Buses will operate daily from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at 20-minute intervals. CCTV monitoring and deployment of metropolitan police for security are the features of night public bus service.

The initiative aims to address the lack of public transport after 8:00 PM, reduce reliance on expensive travel options, improve safety for passengers, and provide a more reliable and sustainable urban transport system. Acting Mayor of KMC has remarked that people are compelled to pay high travel costs in absence of public transport after 8 pm. Women and girls, in particular, have faced harassment, and students are financially burdened. This night bus service we are launching will address these problems.

She added that the goal is to develop a modern, integrated, safe, and reliable public transport system, and the metropolis is open to further collaboration with partners to strengthen the service. It is remarkable that planned two routes can serve only limited users while a few more routes can provide a wider number of users.

On the other hand, Nepal government is planning to scrap or merge the Federal Capital Urban Area Public Transport Authority. The Federal Capital Urban Area Public Transport Authority, established under the Urban Area Public Transport (Management) Authority Act, 2079, with mandate to modernize, manage, and regulate public transportation within the Kathmandu Valley. Key goals include introducing a, cashless fare system, establishing real-time monitoring, and formalizing services to make them safe and efficient.

The authority is proposed to be scrapped or transferred to the province in the ‘Good Governance Roadmap, 2082’ to improve administration and cut spending. But transport experts and authority officials have suggested that instead of closing it, it should be strengthened and moved forward.

The authority has been given the responsibility of storing data of transport operators, means and routes, implementing a cashless fare system, developing an integrated transport system based on smart cards and information technology. But due to lack of resources and manpower, the authority has not been able to implement the plan.