Nine local levels of Kathmandu Valley, including 2 metropolitan cities, come together to operate night bus service
लगानी न्यूज
Kathmandu. 9 local levels have joined a single program to operate night bus service in the Kathmandu Valley. Under the leadership of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the local governments have joined the common program to expand the night transport service that started on a trial basis from April 1 in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat.
On the occasion of Constitution Day, the chiefs of the local levels signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sajha Yatayat to provide easy, safe and reliable transportation service to the general public, businessmen, entrepreneurs, workers, hospital patients and domestic and foreign tourists commuting during the night.TAG_OPEN_div_70
The signatories are Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Budhanilkantha Municipality, Godavari Municipality, Chandragiri Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Bhaktapur Municipality, Suryabinayak Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality. Sushil Raj Pyakurel, chairman of Sajha Yatayat, signed on behalf of Sajha Yatayat.TAG_OPEN_div_68
The ceremony was signed at the office of Sajha Yatayat on the occasion of Constitution Day. After that, 30 buses were started operating for 6 routes.
On the occasion, Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Dangol, said that the night bus service is being further developed and expanded as the constitution has increased the access to the basic necessities guaranteed by the constitution. It was practiced in the past. It was closed. Quoting the query of the service recipients about what will happen this time, she said, “We have added 4 to the 2 routes that were practiced during the trial period. We have increased 7 ward vehicles to 30. We have reached 9 in collaboration with 4 municipalities. We have started cooperation to expand it further and also bear the financial responsibility on the basis of need. Now this service will not stop. It will run continuously. It will run sustainably.TAG_OPEN_div_64 ’
Referring to the rights given by the constitution to the local level regarding the management of transport and the single and common use of those rights, she said, “What is written in the constitution and law should not be limited to paper. It should be realized at the citizen level. For us, we have to develop and expand services based on cooperation by considering the needs of the citizens as important, not by administrative boundaries. To make it a practical success, we have all moved forward with a unified goal.”TAG_OPEN_div_62 ’
In the program, Chiribabu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, said, “The federal government should have brought a plan for the operation of the metro for the ease of transportation of the people of the valley. That issue does not seem to have come up now. If there was no metro, there should have been BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). There is no sign of that. We are not in a position to remain silent because nothing has come from the union. Therefore, we have started cooperation on a system that can be operated at the local level. We will continue the program to develop and expand it.TAG_OPEN_div_60 ’
‘On the day of Constitution Day, a reliable service was started for the general public to move safely during the night. This is a big achievement related to the citizens. Pyakurel, the chairman of Sajha said, “Sajha getting the guardian of the local level is also a big achievement for our history. ’
Under the expanded service, 6 buses will be operated from Jagati to Thamel via Suryabinayak, 6 buses from Lagankhel to Budhanilkantha to Godavari, 8 buses clockwise and counterclockwise on Ring Road, 4 buses on Kirtipur-Jamal, 2 on Takhel-Thamel and 4 on the erstwhile Nagdhunga-Airport route.TAG_OPEN_div_56
Earlier, a model service was operated from 8 pm to 11 pm from Lagankhel to Budhanilkantha and from Nagdhunga to the airport. On the basis of the impact and evaluation of the service, it was concluded that the service was more important than profit and loss.
If the cost of operating the night bus is not covered by the ticket income from the passengers, the seven municipalities concerned will bear 50 percent of the shortfall equally and the remaining 50 percent will be borne by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Lalitpur Metropolitan City (18.55 percent), Lalitpur Metropolitan City (18.55 percent) and other seven municipalities (9 percent). If the cost of operating the service is not sufficient, the Sajha Yatayat will demand it on a quarterly basis.TAG_OPEN_div_52
TAG_OPEN_div_50 The places where passengers board and drop off on the route will be determined by the concerned municipality. Sajha Yatayat has been given the responsibility to construct and operate a digital bus stop by installing digital signage boards at these places within the fiscal year 2083÷84. The concerned municipalities will coordinate and facilitate the need.
The concerned municipality will provide the necessary land for the construction of the bus charging station at the end point of the designated route and the common transport will take the responsibility of installing the charging station. The concerned municipality will take responsibility for the security of the charging station.
In order to make the night public transport service effective, the concerned metropolitan cities and municipalities will regularly monitor and give necessary suggestions to Sajha Yatayat. Provision has been made that a progress review meeting will be held at least quarterly in the presence of the concerned parties on the implementation of the agreement and Sajha Yatayat will submit a financial report.
TAG_OPEN_div_44 The agreement has paved the way for the expansion of such bus service to other areas in the future if the number of passengers and the need increases.
With the expansion of access to public transport during the night in the valley, it is expected that the option of public transport will be added for the citizens commuting to hospitals, airports, markets and other essential services. It will also lay the foundation for making night public transport safe, systematic and reliable and reducing dependence on private vehicles. It will also encourage other private transport entrepreneurs to come to the service.
After getting the transport service on the Ring Road, you can change the bus at one place and reach all the places where the service is operated. The maximum fare for this journey will be Rs 80.
To prevent financial leakage from tickets, Sajha has developed a digital ticketing system from September 1. Tickets can be purchased through QR or cash. After stopping the financial leakage, the loss amount of Sajha is expected to be reduced.TAG_OPEN_div_38
The government of Nepal has a share of Rs 3 billion in Sajha Yatayat and Rs 150 million of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. At present, there are 111 buses in Sajha Yatayat.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्