KATHMANDU: Night bus services in the Kathmandu Valley will be expanded to six new routes, with 28 buses scheduled to operate from September 19.
The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Acting Chief Sunita Dangol, attended by mayors, deputy mayors and officials from municipalities involved in the night transport service.
According to KMC, the meeting decided to add 28 night buses to six routes in the valley from September 3, coinciding with Constitution Day.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chandragiri Municipality and Budhanilkantha Municipality have been operating night bus services in coordination with Sajha Yatayat since April 14, 2026.
Under the expanded service, six buses will operate between Godavari and Budhanilkantha, while six will run from Jagati in Bhaktapur to Ratnapark via Thamel. Four buses will operate between Tribhuvan International Airport and Nagdhunga in Chandragiri, and another four will run between Kirtipur and New Road via the Nepal Airlines Corporation area. Eight buses will operate on the Ring Road, providing services in both directions.
With night bus services available along the Ring Road, passengers will be able to change buses at a designated point and travel to any location covered by the service. The maximum fare for such journeys will be Rs 80.
Speaking at the meeting, Acting Chief Dangol said the night bus service had initially been introduced on a three-month trial basis with the intention of continuing it regardless of profit or loss.
“We provided the trial service for three months with the aim of continuing it regardless of profit or loss,” Dangol said. “We assigned a task force of experts to study its management and financial aspects. The study presented three options for continuing the service. Of these, continuing the service through financial partnerships among the valley municipalities would ensure a sustainable and safe service.”
Dangol said it is particularly difficult to find public transportation to Bhaktapur after 8 pm and added that the municipality is working on a plan to address the problem.
Bhaktapur Municipality Deputy Mayor Rajani Joshi said the expanded night bus service would help bring Bhaktapur closer to Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
The meeting also decided to request the Government of Nepal to amend the existing transport laws in a timely manner to facilitate route permits for the operation of night bus services.
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