KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has proposed expanding its night bus service by adding 28 buses and six new routes. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol stated that the city is preparing to establish a sustainable transport system with the participation of local municipalities across the valley.
A task force, led by traffic expert Jagatman Shrestha, submitted its report after studying the night bus service, which began on April 14, 2026, in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat. The report reviewed the first three months of the pilot project, during which 66,952 passengers utilized the service. Currently, seven buses operate on the Nagdhunga-Airport and Lagankhel-Budhanilkantha routes.
The study highlights that the service is currently operating at a loss of Rs 1,690 per bus daily. With an average daily operating cost of Rs 4,814 and revenue of Rs 3,134 per bus, the service faces a 35 percent deficit. Passenger demand is highest between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., primarily consisting of office staff, laborers, and daily wage earners.
Proposed new routes include Godawari-Budhanilkantha, a dual-service ring road route, Jagati-Thamel, and Kirtipur-Nepal Airlines. These routes aim to connect major hospitals, commercial hubs, and entry points of the valley. To ensure financial sustainability, the committee proposed three options: implementing a ‘night premium rate’ by adding Rs 12 to the current fare, adopting a ‘viability gap funding’ model shared among eight municipalities, and enhancing service reliability through technology.
The report also emphasizes prioritizing the safety of women, the elderly, and tourists by installing CCTV cameras and GPS tracking, and establishing dedicated bus stops. By involving the municipalities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Budhanilkantha, Chandragiri, Suryabinayak, Madhyapur Thimi, Godawari, and Kirtipur, the expansion aims to boost the night economy and reduce dependence on private vehicles. The report suggests that the Urban Public Transport Authority could oversee the regulation and governance of the expanded system.
