Kathmandu, Sept 20: Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan has proposed making night bus services free across Kathmandu Valley.
Speaking at a programme on expanding night bus services, Maharjan said the move would benefit workers and people on low incomes who rely on public transport late at night.
“Late evening bus services should be free,” he said. “The figures presented here show that many passengers are security guards and other lower paid workers. They would welcome a free ride from the valley’s municipalities.”
Maharjan proposed that all 18 local governments in Kathmandu Valley share the cost. Kathmandu and Lalitpur metropolitan cities would be willing to pay a larger share, he said.
“If we can share the cost and make the service free, I believe it would be a major step forward for public transport,” he said.
For now, Maharjan suggested maintaining the service at its current break-even level while setting a date for free travel to begin. He proposed announcing that night buses would be free from the next Baisakh 1, or another suitable date.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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