Lanes for express buses rolled out, awareness missing

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: It has been a week since the commuters started witnessing workers painting the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road red in several sections. While many are unaware of why the road is being painted red, a few know that it is for the express buses that will come into operation along  Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, and Ratna Park, Kathmandu, from the Constitution Day on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) is introducing the service to increase attraction towards public transport and reduce traffic congestion by private vehicles, especially two-wheelers.

However, the majority of commuters were confused as to how they could drive along the eight-lane Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road after a lane on each side has been painted red as of Tuesday evening. 

According to the officials at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) and Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office (KVTPO), designated buses will be allowed to operate along the red lane. The buses are being selected in coordination with the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association. 

The buses will operate twice a day during the peak hours – 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. One bus will leave from Suryabinayak heading to Ratna Park, while another will depart from Ratna Park for Suryabinayak every five minutes during the two-hour period in the morning and evening.

The red lane can also be used by emergency vehicles, including law enforcement and security agencies, fire engines, and ambulances, alongside buses carrying staff of hospitals and government institutions. While a separate lane has been designated, officials informed that the express buses will abide by the speed limit in the respective section.

"No four-wheeler or two-wheeler of any government office, except law enforcement and security agencies (Nepal Police, Nepali Army, and Armed Police Force), will be allowed to operate along the red lane during the designated time," said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson for the KVTPO.

"A discussion is also underway to allow school buses to operate along the red lane. However, it has not been finalised yet," added SSP Bhatta.

Government officials at the DoTM and traffic police officers informed that the commuters would be made aware of the red lane during the initial phase without punishing them.

We will use different measures to generate awareness about the red lane. Once we have raised enough awareness, any trespassers on the lane during the designated time will be penalised for violating lane discipline under the transport law," said SSP Bhatta.

According to Ishwori Datta Paneru, DoTM's information officer, the lane has been separated for the express buses to transport passengers to their destination at the earliest. 

"Boarding the express buses will ensure that a passenger reaches the respective destination within the expected time. It is highly beneficial for office goers. We expect that other vehicle drivers will prioritise the express buses and help make public transport more reliable," Paneru added.

How many express buses along the route?

"We will be using 25 buses in the initial phase. Each bus is at least 39-seater. There are 19 pick-and-drop stations along the Suryabinayak-Ratna Park route to pick up and drop off the passengers without stopping for a long time," said Paneru.

While two buses will be used to inaugurate the service on Wednesday, 25 buses will be operated from Thursday. 

According to the DoTM, they plan to increase the number of buses as per the increase in demand. 

Will the service be expanded?

If the express bus service along the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur section turns out beneficial for the public, the MoPIT plans to extend the service along the other major routes of the Kathmandu Valley.

"We also plan to introduce digital payment to pay the fare of the bus. Our main motive is to decrease the need for private vehicles and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure by making public transportation better," said Paneru.

DoTM and KVTPO officials urged the citizens to use the express buses during their office time and make the initiative a success as it would also help reduce our carbon footprint.

"The government will coordinate with transport operators and the public regarding the step and seek suggestions in improving the service," said Paneru.

What are the drawbacks?

Meanwhile, from Sunday morning to Tuesday morning, 348 vehicles were penalised for violating lane discipline in the Kathmandu Valley. Data show that at least more than 100 vehicles are penalised under lane discipline on a daily basis in the Valley.

Traffic police personnel also argue that crossing lanes unnecessarily increases the risk of accidents and the violation has led to dangerous accidents in many instances. 

However, despite the new service being implemented on Wednesday, neither the transport authorities nor the traffic police have initiated any effective awareness campaign for the commuters. 

Similarly, the areas painted red along the road have made it slippery for vehicles, especially two-wheelers. Automobile mechanics suggested driving slowly over the painted sections as it loosens the grip of the tyres.

Likewise, the express lane also passes through unexpected locations, for example, the one-way from Maitighar to Bhadrakali. According to officials, the express buses will be allowed to reach Maitighar from Bhadrakali using the red lane. 

Amidst the lack of awareness, many argue that the express lane could turn into a death trap.