New Sajha Yatayat buses

Sajha Yatayat has Operated Buses on Bhaktapur Route

With the permission of the Department of Transport Management, Sajha Yatayat has finally begun its operation on Bhaktapur route from today. Sajha buses have been seen plying on the roads of Bhaktapur from earlier this morning.

According to Sajha officials, the new bus service will be operated between Swoyambhu in Kathmandu and Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur, covering a distance of around 27km.

Sajha began its service in Bhaktapur amid the protest by local transport entrepreneurs. Although Sajha had demanded a permit for two routes, it only got a permit to ply its buses on one route.

The news of plying Sajha buses on Bhaktapur route has delighted daily commuters in Bhaktapur.

A local of Bhaktapur, Ramesh Gosai said, “It’s a big relief. With more buses on Bhaktapur route, people will now have an option, which would make the public transport much reliable.”

At a press conference a month ago, Chairman of Bhaktapur Minibus Service Committee (BMSC), Gyanendra Maharjan had warned that they would bring the entire transportation system in the district to a halt if Sajha was given a permit. A total of 337 buses run on 17 routes in Bhaktapur district under the banner of the committee.

“It was an exhaustive task to get the permit,” Sajha’s Acting Executive Officer Mahendra Raj Pandey said.

“But the DoTM has only provided us a permit to operate on Naya Bato (new road). It has not given us the route of Naya Thimi (old route that passes through Madhyapur Thimi).”

Out of the 46 buses on its fleet, Sajha has been operating 38 on various routes in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The remaining buses run on long routes to Birgunj and Baglung.

Sajha is planning to add 11 deluxe coaches to extend the services to long distance routes and a semi low floor bus for Kathmandu in the next six months.

Sajha will charge a fare of NPR. 25 for the entire journey but only NPR. 15 for the student card holders.

 

Reference: The Kathmandu Post