Express bus service to be made more efficient

By Bishnu Pandeya, Kathmandu, Nov.22: The operation of the express bus service from Suryabinayak-Ratnapark, came into effect on September 20, on the day of the constitution day. However, it is in the verse of getting shut down within two months of its operation. 

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportsaid that the buses were running by occupying the narrow road which does not allow the new service to work smoothly therefore, initiative will be taken to make this service more efficient. 

The 45-minute express bus service from Suryabinayak-Ratnapark was initiated bearing in mind the rising vehicle traffic in the capital. The red lines drawn on both sides of the road have been dedicated to facilitate the operation of the express bus service. However, dedicated lines came into use for other vehicles, and motorcycles, so, the express bus service could not be effectively operated. 

25 buses were brought on the road under express bus service by the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs with the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. The time was allocated from 9 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 6 PM targeting the peak hour mobility of the passengers. 

Ishwori Datta Paneru, Spokesperson at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), said that rather than shutting down the service, efforts will be made to make it more effective. 

He said, "The false information has been spread about shutting down of the express bus service. However, this service will be made more effective. The mobility of transportation has been low in festivals, but, this will rise. Buses need to be mobilised outside of the valley to fulfil the demand, and there was low mobility of passengers, therefore, the number of buses went down as well."

Bijay Bahadur Swar, Chairperson of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, said that the express bus service faced an impact because of poor traffic management. 

He said, "The main challenge for the operation of express bus service is the traffic along with this, other vehicles running at the allocated lane for express bus is another reason. Discussions are being made with DoTM about properly managing the bus service."

He said, "Efforts will be dedicated to making express bus service more effective. This service will not be shut down. The problem of the traffic will be sorted down."

According to him, currently, 15 buses are being operated under express bus service. Discussions are being made to run buses from 8 AM and arrange the management in such a way that each bus leaves the station every five minutes.