Free bus service in Lumbini till Chhath festival

By Our Correspondent

Bhairahawa, Oct. 15: The Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) has decided to keep its electric buses in the ‘testing phase’ until Chhath, meaning people will be able to ride them for free for at least 16 more days.

According to Dhundi Raj Bhattarai, treasurer of LDT, the Trust decided to extend the testing on Thursday because it saw great public enthusiasm for the free service.

The Trust had started the free bus service, dubbed the Dhamma Yatra, on different routes around Lumbini on September 29 for the Dashain festival. Bishwa Raj Poudel, executive member of LDT and coordinator of the electric bus testing unit, 9,712 people have ridden the free buses till Thursday.

LDT operates the buses on the Lumbini-Ramgram, Lumbini-Butwal, Lumbini-Devdaha, Lumbini-Belahiya, Lumbini-Tilaurakot and the Lumbini-Rampur Colony routes with help from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police. 

The security agencies have provided the Trust with drivers and helpers. The District Administration Office has also coordinated with the Trust for the operation of the buses.