Kathmandu, June 10
The Department of Transport Management is planning to re-start night bus services in Kathmandu.
The department says that as many as 12 transport companies have already shown interest in re-starting the service in the capital.
The department’s Director General Kumar Prasad Dhakal said officials were interested transport entrepreneurs to discuss how the plan may be implemented. Dhakal added that Swyambhu Yatayat, Sajha Yatayat and Maha Nagar Yatayat were a few companies interested in providing service at night.
Currently, all public buses stop operating from 8 pm after which the public has to bear the brunt of the exorbitant fares charged by taxi drivers.
“We all believe that Kathmandu like other capital cities shouldn’t sleep at 8 pm. To develop Kathmandu financially we need to make sure that it has a ‘happening’ nightlife and for that to be successful we will need a good transportation system,” said Dhakal. He added that if public transport were available till mid-night it would help develop the capital financially.
“If busses are available till midnight, not many will travel on those congested busses at 7 pm. If people are still out and about that will also help the markets which currently closes at 8 pm,” added Dahal.
The government to promote night service is planning to give the transport entrepreneurs permission to increase night fare buy up to 50 per cent.
“We don’t want these companies to suffer loss. There aren’t many who will use these services at the moment which if why we have proposed to give the permission to raise the fair by 50 per cent,” says Dhakal.
General Secretary of Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association Saroj Sitaula says that they will be pushing to increase the fare by 100 per cent.
Sitaula further added it was possible to commence the night service to areas like Kalanki, Budanilkantha, Koteshwor, and Jawalakhel.
“Before we start the night service we need to make sure that the government is willing to provide security to both bus operators and the general user of the service,” added Sitaula who believes that it will be tough to continue the night service.
