Night Bus Service Launched in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu. With the arrival of the New Year, night bus services have commenced in the Kathmandu Valley starting yesterday. This service, launched in collaboration with the local levels of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chandragiri, and Budhanilkantha, is expected to facilitate nighttime commuting.

Currently, seven buses have been put into operation. The buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, and municipal police for security. Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, stated that the buses will operate at regular intervals on designated routes.

According to her, in the first phase, electric bus services have been launched on routes from Lagankhel to Budhanilkantha, Budhanilkantha to Lagankhel, Thankot to the Airport, and from the Airport to Thankot.

One route runs from Lalitpur's Lagankhel, passing through Patan Hospital, Alka, Norvic, Maternity Hospital, Trauma Center, Bir Hospital, Kanti Hospital, Teaching Hospital, and Gangalal Heart Center, reaching up to Budhanilkantha. The Metropolitan City stated that this north-south route covers a one-way distance of 16 kilometers.

The east-west route from Thankot, passing through Satungal, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwor, Thapathali, Maitighar Mandala, Baneshwor, Minbhawan, and Tinkune, reaches the International Airport, covering a one-way distance of 20 kilometers. The Metropolitan City informed that four night-time electric buses are operating on these two routes.

The night bus service is currently being operated in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat. It is stated that in the initial phase, Sajha Yatayat will manage the costs, and in the coming days, the local levels will bear the expenses under a partnership model.

It is believed that this service will reduce the lack of safe, convenient, and reliable public transportation during the night. Arrangements have been made for the buses to operate from 8 PM to 11 PM.