Kathmandu Metropolitan City to expand night bus service

Kathmandu Metropolitan City plans to expand its night bus service by increasing the fleet from seven to 28 buses and adding six new routes across the Kathmandu Valley. This expansion follows a three-month review of a pilot program launched in partnership with Sajha Yatayat, which saw 66,952 passengers during the trial period.

The study identified that peak demand occurs between 8 pm and 9 pm, primarily serving office workers, laborers, and daily wage earners. Proposed new routes include Godawari to Budhanilkantha, a two-way Ring Road service, Jagati to Thamel, and Kirtipur to Nepal Airlines Corporation. The expanded network aims to connect major hospitals, commercial hubs, and valley entry points.

To address current financial challenges—where each bus operates at a daily loss of Rs 1,690—the study committee has recommended implementing a night-time premium fare, cost-sharing among eight municipalities, and viability gap funding. Additional safety measures such as CCTV cameras, GPS tracking, and dedicated bus stops have also been proposed to support women, senior citizens, and tourists.