KATHMANDU, APRIL 14 Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is set to launch a night-time passenger bus service from today, aimed at improving public transport accessibility during late hours. The service will commence from Pulchowk at 7:00 pm. According to Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol, the first phase will see the operation of electric buses on two routes in collaboration with Sajha Yatayat Cooperative Limited. One route will run from Lagankhel to Budhanilkantha and back, while the other will operate from Thankot to Tribhuvan International Airport and vice versa. The Lagankhel–Budhanilkantha route spans approximately 16 kilometres, whereas the Thankot–airport route via Satungal covers around 20 kilometres. KMC has stated that a total of four buses will be deployed across these two routes during the initial phase. 'The night public transport service is being introduced to address the problem of costly travel caused by the lack of public transport after 8:00 pm,' Dangol said. She added that KMC is working to develop the system into a state-of-the-art, integrated, convenient, safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport network. The buses will operate until 11:00 pm, with departures scheduled every 20 minutes from designated stops. CCTV cameras will be installed on board, and city police personnel will be deployed to ensure passenger safety.