Amazing Trolley Bus on Tripureshwar – Surya Binayak route
Trolley Bus – a historic transport system in Nepal with modern facilities was introduced on 28th December, 1975 AD. The electric bus route was stretched from Tripureshwar in Kathmandu to Surya Binayak crossing of Arniko Rajmarga in Bhaktapur with the length of 13 km. The amazing system has been completely closed in 2009.
On the occasion of 50th anniversary of the Trolley Bus launched, Sajha Yatayat organized an interaction on the “Future of Electric Public Transport in Kathmandu” at Sajha Southasia Centre, Sajha Yatayat, Lalitpur.
A number of experts, professionals and media representatives including government officials participated in the event to share experience and knowledge on Trolley Bus system we have had.
During the interaction, experts recalled the merits of Trolley Bus system and also remarked the management failure. They mentioned that the modified Trolley Bus systems available these days can support Nepal’s electric transport system.
They also elaborated the electric BRT (Bus Rapid System), Metro and Ropeways for Nepal to implement for the best of transport system – for the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country.
Moreover, the electric buses operated these days are known as ‘commercially profitable’. They are doing much better than fossil fuel vehicles used for public transport – from the point of view of cost saving, public health and carbon foot print.
In the current scenario, Nepal is importing more electric vehicles than fossil fuel vehicles. The government policy and private sector is doing their best for the promotion of electric vehicles. Moreover, Nepal has been known as remarkable electric vehicle importing country as well. With 70% of new four-wheeled passenger vehicle sales in 2024 being electric, Nepal is witnessing one of the fastest transitions to e-mobility in the world. (Nepal imports all type of vehicles as Nepal does not manufacture vehicles in the country except a few manufactured in Nepal in the past, which did not withstand in the competitive market).
The significant benefits of electric transportation in Nepal is consumption of electricity generated by hydropower plants. That reduces consumption of fossil imported fossil fuels we purchase by paying hard earned money.
In context to electric mobility in Nepal, Ropeway system from Hetauda to Kathmandu needs to remembered. History also says that there were 2 short distance Ropeway systems existed in Kathmandu before Hetauda – Kathmandu system was introduced.
The historic Hetauda-Kathmandu Ropeway was a crucial 42-km cargo system, built in stages from the 1920s and extended in 1964 with USAID help, vital for goods transport until mismanagement and road focus led to its closure in the 1990s. However, these days, there are some plans are floated to revive this concept with modern technology, like a Podway system for passengers and cargo, aiming to link to Birgunj for better trade, with studies ongoing for this sustainable transport solution.
The interaction “Future of Electric Public Transport in Kathmandu” at Sajha Southasia Centre, Sajha Yatayat, Lalitpur on 28 December, 2025.
The government in the fiscal year 2016 -17, had shown a big interest in comfortising import of electricity driven vehicles. Nepal itself has started now producing electric vehicles. The neighbouring countries are bearing high level expertise in producing and using electric vehicle which should inspire Nepal to go into smokeless commuting.
This has been long time that the leaders, planners and economists along with environment activists are raising voice on the electrical vehicles to promote in the country so as the country could be able to check import of fossil fuels and electricity to be generated in the country could contribute to transportation sector, and protect environment.
Three wheeled Safa tempos bear the success story. They were introduced by Global Resource Institute (USA) in 1993. The Safa tempos in around 700 in number relieved commuting in the Kathmandu Valley during fuel scarcity last year.
Bhai Raja Sthapit, the electrical technician converted a small car into electricity driven was seen in Kathmandu as an adventure before Safa tempo was introduced. We also have noted that some environment activists converted two Volkswagen Bug car into electricity driven. Sanjeev Rajbhandari, Bikas Pandey and Kiran Joshi were the enthusiasts.
Since air pollution has been a big issue in the country, environment activists are soughing for urgent rescue. The air pollution created by diesel vehicles and old petrol vehicles required to be stopped. But nothing as a big step has been taken so far. Nepal Government’s budget for the Fiscal Year 2073/74 has however brought out something to relief for electricity driven vehicles to import.
In due course of time, Hulas Motors, Nepal’s only car maker has brought out electric cars for Nepal market. Some are seen plying in the capital as a trial on the road. The company may be successful in making a bigger share in the market if price could bring down to compete with other similar products available in the market. Earlier, some businessmen brought electric vehicles from China could not be successful. The reasons behind were said to be high costume duty and doubt in after-sales-service. The other reason in connection to electric vehicles for mass transportation could not be allowed by government agencies and the public transportation service providers committees also did not like the electric vehicle to compete them.
Small electric cars were seen plying in the Kathmandu Valley which initially brought in with big struggles. The Reva experienced months of halt at border costumes in process of importing first consignment. Now the same car with modified version with wider space and better battery pack is available in Nepal market.
The climate for electric vehicles in Nepal now has been favourable. Other than government slashed the costume duties, some Nepalese entrepreneurs are readying to produce Lithium ion battery in Nepal which will certainly help electric drive vehicles more comfortable and answer to the problem people see in disposing the used battery. Use of Lithium ion battery will contribute to lower space and weight in the vehicle and serving for even longer. The facilities being planned to develop recycling of Lead acid batteries is also one big thing to happen soon.
After experiencing changes in government policies and priorities based on climate change actions, NDCs, sustainable Development Goals, reducing import of fossil fuels, consumption of renewable energy and public health concerns, the electric vehicle in Nepal had taken a ‘shape’ which still requires changes to make it user friendly and also good from every angle for public transport facilities.
Currently, electric vehicles – small cars, hatchbacks, SUVs, sedan, micro buses and minibuses in many varieties, makes and brands are available for the users in Nepal. Users’ confidence on EVs have been well developed. The bank financing is also made user-friendly. So as number of electric microbuses are also growing for public services in different routes – in the Kathmandu Valley and inter city routes.
It also appreciable that experts are considering revival of Trolley Bus in Nepal with modified technical inputs for versatile service.
Please read relevant write up on Trolley Bus and electric buses for public transportation: https://thenepalweekly.com/2025/12/02/27642/ https://thenepalweekly.com/2025/05/06/25120/ https://thenepalweekly.com/2022/03/29/10133/
