KATHMANDU, APRIL 2 Kathmandu Metropolitan City is set to launch a night-time public bus service in partnership with Sajha Yatayat from Baisakh 1 (April 14), operating four electric buses across two routes to address the absence of affordable public transport after 8 pm. The north-south route will run 16 kilometres from Lagankhel in Lalitpur through Patan Hospital, Alka, Norvic, Prasuti Griha, Trauma Centre, Bir Hospital, Kanti Hospital, Teaching Hospital, and Gangalal Heart Centre to Budhanilkantha. The east-west route will cover 20 kilometres from Thankot through Satungal, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwor, Thapathali, Maitighar Mandala, Baneshwor, Minbhawan, and Tinkune to Tribhuvan International Airport. Buses will operate from 8 pm to 11 pm, arriving at designated stops every 20 minutes. All buses will be fitted with CCTV cameras and accompanied by metropolitan police for passenger safety. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said the service was being launched to address the hardship caused by the lack of public transport after evening hours, noting that young women, girls, and students had been particularly affected, forced either to pay high private vehicle fares or face safety risks. 'We are committed to making this service modern, integrated, safe, and sustainable,' she said.