Lack of Dedicated Tourist Bus Park Causing Problems in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, April 29: Despite the operation of the new bus park at Gongabu Bus Park, the absence of a separate tourist bus terminal in Kathmandu has continued to create difficulties for tourists and transport operators.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists travelling to destinations such as Pokhara, Sauraha, Lumbini, and Janakpur are currently forced to use the roadside area at Sohrakhutte due to the lack of a systematic tourist bus park in the federal capital.

Tourist buses, which operated from Kantipath for nearly three decades, have been parking and operating from Sohrakhutte Road since 2018.

President of the Tourist Bus Association of Nepal, Bhishma Neupane, said the association has long demanded a dedicated tourist bus park, but authorities have not responded seriously to the issue.

“We have already informed the concerned bodies about possible locations for a tourist bus park, but the project has not moved forward due to a lack of interest,” he said.

According to operators, the absence of a proper terminal has forced tourist buses to park haphazardly across the city, creating inconvenience for passengers and leaving a poor impression on tourists.

Neupane also said unclear identification and categorization of tourist vehicles, along with inconsistencies between the Transport Act and the Tourism Act, have created confusion regarding tourist transport operations.

The association stressed the need for secure, modern, and reliable tourism transport infrastructure to support a more organized and transparent tourism sector.

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has recently decided to manage public transportation from the New Bus Park area.

Chair of the Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents, Kumar Mani Thapaliya, said NATTA has repeatedly called for a modern and well-equipped tourist bus park, but its concerns have largely been ignored.

Currently, around 100 tourist buses operate daily from Kathmandu, carrying an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 passengers. In Sohrakhutte, buses pick up and drop off passengers along the roadside from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm, while the vehicles are parked overnight in private garages for a fee.

(RSS)