The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat, is set to launch nighttime public transportation services from Nepali New Year on April 14.
According to the KMC, four electric buses will operate on two routes at night.
One north-south route (16 km, one way) will run from Lagankhel in Lalitpur through Patan Hospital, Alka Hospital, Norvic Hospital, Maternity Hospital, Trauma Center, Bir Hospital, Kanti Hospital, Teaching Hospital, and Gangalal Heart Center up to Budhanilkantha.
Another east–west route (20 km, one way) will run from Thankot through Satungal, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwar, Thapathali, Maitighar Mandala, Baneshwar, Min Bhawan, Tinkune, up to the Tribhuvan International Airport.
"We are starting night-time public transport service because it is necessary to improve the current situation where people are forced to pay for expensive private travel after 8 p.m. due to the lack of public transport," said KMC’s Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol. "Everyone has been facing difficulties due to the absence of public transport and its alternatives. In particular, young girls and women have to face harassment, and students are facing severe financial difficulties. We are launching this service to improve the situation."
The goal is to create a modern, integrated, convenient, safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport system, Dangol said, adding that the KMC is open to collaborating with partners to achieve this goal.
Initially, buses will operate from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Buses will arrive every 20 minutes at bus stops along the designated routes. The buses will be equipped with CCTV cameras, and municipal police will be present for security.
