Kathmandu’s public transportation system is facing serious issues. Buses are overcrowded, small in size, and uncomfortable for daily passengers. Despite government promises to improve the system, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
On Tuesday, a conflict broke out between a conductor and a female passenger, Smita Shrestha, in a bus from Bhaktapur to Kalanki. She was pushed by the conductor who insisted there was space in the back. However, there were only 16 seats on a bus that had packed more than 60 people—like “gundruk” (fermented greens) being stuffed in a container.
Bhagirathi Bastola, a regular commuter, said, “We sit at the back thinking we’ll be the last to get off, but by the time we reach Koteshwor, we are crammed in tightly.” Many passengers suggest that double-decker or longer buses should be used on high-traffic routes.
Bus conductors argue that the current buses are bigger than the older ones. However, the root problem remains: short buses and too many passengers.
According to Kedar Kshetri, Chairman of the Araniko Transport Association, big buses can only operate well on the Ring Road. “Outside of peak hours, even small buses run empty,” he said. “We can’t invest 5–6 million NPR in a bus unless there’s guaranteed passenger flow.”
