20 more Sajha buses to ease pressure on Kathmandu’s traffic

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to ply twenty more Sajha public transport buses popularly known as ‘Green lines’ in view of the heavy rush of passengers and to avoid further snarl-ups on motorways.

These Green line public buses were not ferrying the passengers daily in and around Kathmandu Valley, even as KMC was having them in reserve. These buses were purchased for Rs 50 million. The KMC couldn’t decide on the routes in which Sajha public buses would ferry the daily commuters and tourists.

Now the routes have been worked out across the Kathmandu Valley, Sajha buses are ready to ply on the roads from the last week of Jestha – the ongoing Nepali month. Mahendra Raj Pandey, Chief Executive Officer of Sajha Transport, confirms the news. Sajha public transport buses are undergoing technical feasibility test and other tests of roadworthiness at present. And, it will not delay more than the first week of Asar before they run on Kathmandu roads, assures Pandey.

Earlier, there was a stock of 51 Sajha public buses with KMC. After adding 20 more such buses, the numbers have increased to 71. At this moment, six Sajha buses are giving their services outside Kathmandu. Remaining Sajha buses are ferrying in all the three districts of Kathmandu Valley. CEO Pandey explains further, 51 Sajha buses are ferrying in Kathmandu covering the routes of Suryabinayak–Swayambhu, Panauti — Ratnapark, Dhulikhel — Ratnapark, Lagankhel — Nayan Baspark and Lagankhel — Buddha Nilkantha.

Technical standardization

Sajha transport had earlier ferried 51 public transport buses having the standardization of ‘Euro-3’ but recent 20 public buses have upgraded technical level with Euro-4 standards.  The upgraded version of these 20 buses will have 40 more passenger seats, though looks small in size from outside yet with performs with same efficiency level.

These buses are disabled-friendly and equipped with LED TV, CC Camera, holders hanging for standing passengers and other facilities. Tickets are to be taken as soon as a passenger enters the bus.