KMC to introduce night bus service

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 3: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat, is set to launch a night-time public transport service from the Nepali New Year, Baisakh 1 (April 14), in a bid to improve late-evening mobility and safety in the capital.

The service will operate on two major routes using four electric buses.

The first north-south route will run from Lagankhel in Lalitpur through Patan Hospital, Alka Hospital, Norvic Hospital, Prasuti Griha, Trauma Centre, Bir Hospital, Kanti Children’s Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, and Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, before reaching Budhanilkantha. This 16-kilometre one-way route connects key medical and urban hubs.

The second east-west route will operate from Thankot via Satungal, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwor, Thapathali, Maitighar Mandala, Baneshwor, Minbhawan, Tinkune, and extend up to Tribhuvan International Airport. This route covers a distance of 20 kilometres one way.

According to KMC, the night service has been introduced to address the lack of public transportation after 8 pm, which has forced commuters to rely on expensive alternatives.

“Due to the absence of public transport after 8 pm, people are compelled to pay high travel costs. Women and girls, in particular, have faced harassment, and students are financially burdened. We are launching this service to address these problems,” said Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol.

She added that the goal is to develop a modern, integrated, safe, and reliable public transport system, and the metropolis is open to further collaboration with partners to strengthen the service.

Under the plan, buses will operate from 8 pm to 11 pm at 20-minute intervals along designated stops. The vehicles will be equipped with CCTV cameras, and municipal police will be deployed to ensure passenger safety.