Kathmandu launches night bus ervice with WiFi from Nenw year, Plans expansion across valley

Kathmandu: Marking the beginning of the New Year 2083, Kathmandu has officially rolled out a modern night bus service equipped with WiFi, aiming to enhance urban mobility and safety during late hours. The service was jointly launched from Pulchowk, connecting key areas across Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chandragiri Municipality, and Budhanilkantha Municipality.

The initiative was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed by Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol of Kathmandu, Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan of Lalitpur, Mayor Ghanshyam Giri of Chandragiri, and Mayor Mitharam Adhikari of Budhanilkantha, reflecting strong inter-municipal coordination and commitment.

In its initial phase, seven buses have been deployed. Each bus is equipped with four CCTV cameras covering the front view, driver, and passenger areas-to ensure real-time monitoring from a control room. This system is expected to minimize theft and misconduct, allowing authorities to respond immediately to any suspicious activity. Additionally, one municipal police officer in uniform has been assigned to each bus to further strengthen passenger safety.

Speaking at the launch, Acting Mayor Dangol emphasized that the focus of this service is not on financial profit but on delivering efficient and high-quality public transportation. She stated that the long-term vision includes making the night service sustainable through shared cost models among local governments, along with plans to introduce early morning bus services in the near future.

Lalitpur Mayor Maharjan expressed optimism, noting that shared financial responsibility among municipalities would be key to sustaining the service. Chandragiri Mayor Giri highlighted that around 50,000 people commute daily through the Thankot checkpoint, and the new service would significantly improve access to tourist destinations and boost economic and social activities. Budhanilkantha Mayor Adhikari shared positive feedback from local residents, stating that the community has warmly welcomed the initiative and expects its further expansion.

The service has been introduced in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat, which will bear operational costs until the end of the current fiscal quarter. During this period, a detailed cost analysis will be conducted, after which local governments are expected to contribute financially to ensure long-term sustainability, according to Sajha Yatayat Chairperson Sushil Raj Pyakurel.

Trial runs have shown promising results. A bus departing Budhanilkantha at 8 PM reached Maharajgunj in just 16 minutes and Lagankhel in 46 minutes, with minor delays near Jamal due to traffic. Similarly, a bus from Thankot reached Kalanki in 21 minutes and the airport in 45 minutes.

The night bus network operates across two main routes. The north-south route spans 16 kilometers, connecting Lagankhel to Budhanilkantha via major stops such as Patan Hospital, Norvic Hospital, Bir Hospital, Teaching Hospital, and Gangalal Heart Center. Meanwhile, the east-west route covers 20 kilometers, linking Thankot to Tribhuvan International Airport through key junctions including Kalanki, Tripureshwor, New Road, Baneshwor, and Tinkune.

Buses will depart from multiple starting points across both routes, ensuring that passengers can access services every 20 minutes from designated stops. With improved safety features, reliable frequency, and modern amenities like WiFi, the new night bus service is expected to significantly transform Kathmandu Valley’s public transportation system.