Daily departures at New Bus Park rise to 15,000 ahead of Dashain

KATHMANDU: Daily departures from the New Bus Park in Gongabu, Kathmandu, have risen to between 12,000 and 15,000 passengers.

Previously, departures were 4,000–5,000, according to Pankaj Malla, head of human resources at operator Lotse Multipurpose.

The surge in passenger numbers comes as the festivals of Bada Dashain and Tihar approach.

Passengers have started gathering at the New Bus Park after public transport resumed following the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9, during which Tribhuvan University and its affiliated campuses were closed and students began returning to their hometowns.

Malla said that, since services resumed, more than 65,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley for their home districts. He also noted that a meeting of concerned bodies at the Department of Transport Management on Tuesday decided not to open advance bus ticket booking for this year’s Dashain.

Saroj Sitaula, Senior Vice President of Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE), said that despite current crowds, the total number travelling home for Dashain this year might ultimately decrease.

Public services from the New Bus Park currently operate to more than 65 districts nationwide. To manage transport during Dashain, the government has opened route permits valid across Nepal from September 22 (Ghatasthapana) to October 8.

(With inputs from RSS)