KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Valley is set to launch a night bus service using 28 electric vehicles starting Sept. 20. Operated by Sajha Yatayat, the service will connect various parts of the valley across six designated routes.

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, has proposed an inter-municipal partnership with Bhaktapur and Madhyapur Thimi municipalities to facilitate the service. Dangol stated that since public transportation transcends administrative boundaries, collaboration between local governments is essential. The initiative follows a three-month trial period that indicated the feasibility of the project.

Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil Prajapati welcomed the proposal, noting that public transit issues should be viewed beyond simple profit and loss metrics. Deputy Mayor Rajani Joshi added that improved evening transportation would significantly assist residents with daily travel and cultural commitments. Sajha Yatayat Chairman Sushilraj Pyakurel emphasized that local government involvement would enhance passenger safety and increase ridership, benefiting workers, students, patients, and tourists.

The night buses are scheduled to operate from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. The routes include connections between Godawari and Budhanilkantha, Jagati and Thamel via Ratnapark, the airport and Nagdhunga, Kirtipur and New Road, and a circular route around the Ring Road. Passengers transferring between routes will be charged a maximum fare of Rs 80.

Sajha Yatayat currently operates a fleet of 111 buses, backed by a Rs 3 billion investment from the federal government and Rs 150 million from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Officials from Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, including Mayor Surendra Shrestha and Deputy Mayor Bijay Krishna Shrestha, have expressed their willingness to partner on the project.