Key Takeaways:

• Passengers started lining up at New Bus Park on Thursday night
• Travellers heading to Bajhang, Bajura and Dhangadhi joined the queues
• Advance Dashain ticket booking officially opens on Friday
• Fifteen additional ticket counters have been added to manage demand

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 9 Passengers began queuing overnight at Kathmandu's New Bus Park on Thursday to secure tickets for Dashain travel, a day before advance bookings officially opened. According to Lotse Multipurpose Pvt Ltd, which manages the New Bus Park, travellers started arriving and forming queues from around 9 pm. General Manager Pankaj Malla said passengers travelling to Bajhang, Bajura and Dhangadhi were among those who spent the night at the bus park to obtain tickets. The government has decided to open advance ticket booking for Dashain travel from October 10 as thousands of people prepare to return to their home districts for Nepal's biggest festival. The decision was taken at a meeting on October 6 involving the Department of Transport Management, Nepal Police, transport entrepreneurs and transport workers. Transport authorities have been making preparations to manage the expected increase in passenger movement from Kathmandu to destinations across the country during the festival season. To help cope with the rush, Lotse Multipurpose has added 15 ticket counters at the New Bus Park. Officials say the additional counters are intended to improve ticket distribution and reduce congestion as passenger demand rises in the days leading up to Dashain. The annual Dashain travel period typically sees a sharp increase in long-distance bus travel, with transport operators and government agencies coordinating efforts to manage ticket sales, passenger services and vehicle operations.