Kathmandu — Advance ticket booking for public buses for the upcoming Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals will open from Ashwin 23, 2083 (October 9, 2026), following an agreement between transport authorities, transport operators and security agencies.
The decision was made at a meeting held at the Department of Transport Management on Tuesday. More than one million passengers are expected to leave the Kathmandu Valley during Dashain, creating high demand for long-distance public transport.
To improve passenger safety, two drivers will be required on long-distance vehicles. Ticket-counter staff must wear uniforms and identification cards, while passengers’ names and contact numbers will be recorded when tickets are issued. Authorities will also monitor overcharging, black-market ticket sales and other ticketing irregularities.
A central information centre will provide updates on road blockages, accidents and travel conditions. Public passenger vehicles will also be required to carry first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers and drinking water. Security arrangements at bus parks and ticket counters will be strengthened to manage the expected festive rush.
The advance booking is expected to help passengers plan their journeys earlier and reduce congestion at ticket counters as Dashain approaches. Authorities and transport operators are preparing for the large movement of people while focusing on safer and more organised festival travel.
