KMC officials said they have expedited the process to operate the night bus service in Kathmandu. [break]
“Hundreds of people are facing difficulties in absence of a public transport service at night,” Spokesperson of KMC Ganendra Karki said. "Monopoly of the night taxi will end once we start the night bus service in the city," he said. People often complain about taxi drivers overcharging at nighttime.
He said the people working late night will benefit the most once the service commences. Hundreds of long-distance buses enter the city at night and in the wee hours and passenger are normally offloaded at Kalanki or at the New Bus Park.
These visitors to the city are compelled to pay exorbitant fares for a taxi ride to their destinations.
“We have many offers for entrepreneurs including significant tax discounts,” Karki added.
KMC said the operators of the night bus service will be granted permission to display advertisements on commercial basis on their vehicles. So far, KMC has prohibited public transport vehicles to display advertising materials on their vehicles.
KMC said it will discuss necessary security arrangements for such a service to remain problem-free.
“We want to develop the metropolis as a safe and secure city,” he said. “For that, we will discuss issues related to the security of passengers with the police department,” he said.
KMC said initially a bus will be operated along the Ring Road and 4 to 5 buses will be operated in the inner parts of the metropolis.
The night bus service will also boost business in the metropolis during the night. The problem of not getting a public transport in the late hours makes both the businessmen and the customers skeptic about nighttime merchandising.
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