Common man gives thumbs up to Capital's night bus service

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

n The night bus service is a good for Nepalis, especially for those who cannot afford the expensive taxi fares. But a serious concern is the safety of people, especially when passengers wait for the bus for a pickup or after being dropped at their designated stop. Therefore, bus stops must be selected where there are people or near a police post.

— Harichandra Limbu, Dhankuta

n It is good news. However, the question lies in its continuity. And I am optimistic that it’ll be continued and maintained for a longer period of time than Sajha bus. There are many people who work at night and it’ll be very helpful for them to commute. If security is tight then harassing, looting and so on will be controlled to an extent. The government should provide maximum security. Proper timing of arrival also should be made public so that it’ll be easier for the people to board. CCTV, latest gadgets to control crime and so on should be placed in almost all places. If these are done then it’ll surely be a sigh of relief.

— Moin Uddin, Ghattekulo, Kathmandu

n Night bus service in the Kathmandu Valley is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks to the Kathmandu Metropolitan and concerned authorities.

Commuters in the Capital will benefit by reaching home at low fares for example, the fare in the night bus is Rs 20 from Gaushala to Gongabu and taxi fare costs nearly Rs 400. In addition, security guards are managed for the safety of passengers.

However, not everyone will have their house near the stop. They may have to walk some distance and this is a vulnerable time for them. This may create insecurity among many.

To sum up, the government and concerned authorities should focus on these risky cases. Passengers should be cautious as well.

— Padam Bahadur Chhetri, Baksila o4, Khotang

n I think the service needs to be available for people who genuinely regularly need it. Due to the different proposes we are outside but when the sun sets we worry about a way to commute back home. At least due to the night bus service, many won’t fear this. There is always the question of security. If the government has provided the security as promised, many will breathe a sigh of relief. I think if the bus service opens up to late night than other service sectors also will open till late night. The movement of people will gradually be high which helps to provide security.

— Gita

n The night bus service in the valley is a relief to many commuters in the Capital. But I really doubt its security. Yes, they said they will provide two guards on each bus, but what about the security for people who wait for the bus at night? As we all know in Nepal crimes are committed in broad daylight in front of people and if there is no security at each bus stop, then how can this service be effective? In the beginning the service may be effective, but will it maintain its continuum? No one can say anything about Nepal and its rules, and I am sure this service will not last long. Or perhaps this service will last, but there is a big question about the safety of commuters.

— Monica Thapa

This is a good effort of government for commuters at night.

Night, in general, is commanded by notorious people. So I hope it will have the safety and security measures to deal with it. Whatever the result, the government must be ready to cope with any problem and remain committed for its consistency in the future.

— Prem Arvind, Dhangadhi

n It is commendable that the night bus service has started in the Valley. People must deem it as a boon. But the questions will arise if the government is unable to control robbery, theft, kidnapping, murder et cetera. Even during the day, it’s unsafe, so how safe is it at night?

As we bear frequent power-cuts, firstly proper work of lights at bus-stops must be ensured and sufficient armed forces should be equipped on each bus and stop. Even those who want to drink at night will be relieved due to this service.

— Sanjay Gelal, Kathmandu

n The night bus service in Kathmandu Valley is really good. Many people are living here for many purposes. Many of them need to reach their residence from workplace at night. This service provides good support for such people. One can stay late for his/her business or duty.

Obviously it is quite difficult to give continuity and provide security to the people but it is not an impossible task. The government and the police force should provide security to the people. I would like to congratulate and thank Kathmandu Metropolitan City and National Transporters Association of Nepal for providing the service and also like to encourage them to give continuity to the service.

— Pradip Pokharel,

Kohobara, Jhapa

n The recent action of the government to run night bus service is an excellent idea. People working in hotels, restaurants, call centres and night colleges are compelled to work or study late night and may not own private vehicles. If there is a night bus service, then they can work overtime, complete their assigned tasks, go for night shows, or have get-togethers as they have less chance of missing the bus. But in the context of Nepal a lot of safety measures need to be adopted because we are facing problems of robbery, rape, murder et cetera. In case of night travel, one need not carry expensive ornaments, money and always travel in a group for safety. Police need to assure passengers’ safety. However, it has several disadvantages such as it can develop a habit of remaining out till late night, drinking, gambling, roaming and involving in illegal activities. Nonetheless, it is a boon to all those numerous passengers left in cold.

—Hemanta Subedi,

Bagbazaar, Kathmandu

n Of course, it is a glorious moment for all the Capital’s commuters because there is availability of night bus service in the Valley through which a large number of people have benefited. Besides this, the service provider would have to give confidence to the passengers for its long lasting service. They also have to provide proper security to people travelling on the bus and also for those who wait at the stops. For this a large number of traffic lights should be maintained and traffic police should be placed in different places to minimise possible accidents and should have to build check posts in different places. Finally, I think the service should be continued for good and the security of commuters should be assured.

— Anonymous

n Some people are trying to reach the moon and we are getting afraid of night bus service, what a shame! There was a time when people were compelled to travel on foot, which used to be risky and difficult. So, we should consider ourselves lucky and should be thankful to the service given. Of course, I agree with the questions raised by some people regarding the security, but if we get scared now, what about

development?

We need to be responsible for ourselves and we should not forget our duty towards the nation. We can all work towards the security. But night bus service should not be stopped. It should be developed in such a way that no one will hesitate to travel in it. However, for its betterment the government needs to be more active. Some strict rules should be made so that the drivers will be more responsible.

— Garima Poudel,

Masbar, Pokhara-7

n The night bus service in the Valley is an outstanding step by the service provider. Earlier people had to pay a huge amount of money for taxi fare to travel at night, but with implementation of the night bus it will minimise the travelling expenses. This service also has security as in every bus there will be two security personnel. But always a question will rise whether this service will last because whenever effective work is introduced in our country it is not consistent. So I don’t believe that this service will also last long.

— Satish Sangroula

n We are in the age of science and technology. Science has made tremendous progress but there are some other reasons which compel me to raise questions against night bus service. I know most of the commuters are relieved by this service. Whenever I think of night bus service lots of questions erupt. Nepalis are poor, the geographical structure is also different and the infrastructure also is weak. Even during the day passengers become helpless. On the other hand, robbers may do whatever they like with the passengers because the government is not paying more attention. Insufficient traffic police, bad road conditions, lack of street lights et cetera are a few problems, then how can we use night bus service in such a situation? Thus, my view on the night bus service is not positive. It is horrible because life is dear to everyone. Without full security I don’t want to take any risk by travelling in the night bus.

— Agrim Poudel, Masbar, Pokhara-7

n Without doubt, it is really a great pace and development of the transportation system in the valley. It has been commonly felt among the public that whether the service lasts for a long or not as there are number of examples that have failed like Sajha Yatayat, trolley bus service in the valley, concepts and even initiation of Nepal-China bus services, Nepal-India bus service et cetera.

It doesn’t mean that our night bus service in the Valley will not last. If leaders and the bureaucrats have a common goal to establish a lasting service of night bus, it would definitely come true. As it is said ‘nothing is

impossible’.

As far as people waiting in the street alone are concerned, it would be quite nice if there was street lights and high security system with CCTV on the route. However, it is very difficult for one to guarantee the full security system since the country itself is ruined.

Nonetheless, without risk there is no development. This could also be an example of achievement and credibility initiated by the government.

— Arjun Prasad Tiwari

n The service of night bus in the Valley shows the developing sign of our country. In this bus there will be police officials as well as CCTV cameras for security reasons. But the first thing that comes to my mind after reading this news is — is it really safe? In a country like Nepal with political instability and no Constitution, there is no continuance of law and order, so will it be safe to travel in such bus, especially for girls? What if police officials are corrupted and misuse their power? This is not something unusual as these things are happening around us.

Another thing is about people who wait for bus on streets at night, there are no CCTV’s cameras on street. So, this bus service doesn’t provide security for the people at a broader level.

Nonetheless, there are advantages as well, especially for people who work in shifts for example: people working in hospitals or airports.

— Ankita Sharma,

Lokanthali, Bhaktapur

n The start of the night bus service in the Valley is a good step. Many commuters were having problem when the bus service was limited only to 8:00 pm. Now, it’s very easy for people who have graveyard shift. This step should have been taken earlier though, still it’s a good move towards development. It is nice to hear that there is arrangement of security for the commuters inside the bus and at the stations. There are various projects like trolley bus which gained popularity at first and then faced problem. This service should not come to halt after sometime since it provides good facilities to people. I applaud this service as good steps should be praised whether it is small or big.

— Rasbin Rijal

n We should definitely appreciate the attempt of the government. However, security is the main concern for all. Government should enhance its security with the commencement of night bus service. The initiation is already taken but its continuity is really a big question. In this situation when we are facing load shedding problems and messy roads it is still a big threat to avert accident. We face security threat during day time too. So, to ensure safety of passengers and drivers is indeed a big responsibility. Once, such things are taken care of, the system will automatically catch pace.

So, for the sustenance of this service, streets should be lit during night for which separate line should be provided for street lamps. This is not only essential for security but also to ease the travel during night to the public in general.

— Sulochana Panta, Kavrepalanchowk, Birtadeurali

n The night bus service is especially useful for those commuters who have the graveyard shift. People benefiting from night bus service are regulars travelling in the insecure valley streets even when there is no night bus. Moreover, problem of insecurity alone is much better than problem of insecurity plus problem of transportation.

Although night buses may not assure complete security, they have cameras and guards which provide a sense of security rather than in taxis or other means. So, night bus service is a better solution to assist the night commuters reach their destiny, providing them with a more secure and easy transportation facility.

— Angel Shiwakoti, Gothatar, Kathmandu

n In my opinion, the start of the night bus service is really good as it helps passengers get home without any difficulty. However, with its beginning, people have raised questions regarding its security as there is high chance of crimes like robbery, theft and even murder. Due to their questions, something serious and effective should be done when it comes to provision of security. The government must be conscious and efficient to provide security to both passengers and drivers. There should be strict checking at night and the drivers should also be asked to be careful while driving. Only then, the night bus travellers will feel

secured.

— Pratik Shrestha,

Buddhanagar, Baneshwor

n The night bus in Kathmandu Valley seems to be a positive service, provided for the Capital’s commuters. It should be given continuity and the service should be increased around the Capital. In my opinion, it is a good start.

The service will definitely keep the city awake at night. Not only for the joy of roaming, but it will also help in the development of the country. It may increase the flow of tourists and make them feel secure to travel at night. There are different types of late night jobs that people do. It is a positive service for them as well.

If the service is well managed, it could be a good service for the Capital’s commuters. We can see, around the world, the developed city never sleeps.

— Sabin A Maharjan

n The night bus service is a good start by the Nepal government. The government is also providing security to the people. Yet there is really a big question regarding security. As we know load shedding has increased recently, it affects the street lamps. With no light, what will happen to people who wait for the bus at the stops? This will only give a golden opportunity for robbers and thieves. Moreover, it is really difficult for girls and women. So the government should provide security at every bus stop. It would be good if the government puts one policeman at one stand.

— Anonymous

n With night bus service, it is expected that many people will benefit from it. But there are issues related to the service, like security of passengers at different waiting points and in the different lanes of town. I think it is a good initiation of the government, but it is necessary to continue it. There should be security for all passengers every time. Otherwise many of us will be victims of accident and unfortunate incidents. So, I think with this service the government should manage effective security system by deploying large number of security personnel.

— Keshab Singh Air,

Siddheswor 9, Khodape, Baitadi