Advance bus ticket booking for Dashain opens Asoj 23; long-route buses must have two drivers

Advance booking of public transport tickets for travellers going home for Dashain, Tihar and Chhath will open from Friday, Asoj 23.

The decision was made at a meeting on Tuesday at the Department of Transport Management. Transport entrepreneurs, labour unions, police and the company that operates the New Bus Park were among the stakeholders present.

Director General Rajiv Pokharel said coordination with security agencies is underway to help travellers reach their destinations smoothly.

Buses on long-distance routes must now have two drivers. Vehicles across the country will not need route permits throughout the festival period. Apart from vehicles carrying food grains, medicines, fuel and milk, other large vehicles have been barred from travelling to and from Kathmandu.

Special preparations have begun to curb last-minute ticket shortages, crowding at counters and arbitrary fare collection. A central information centre will also operate to quickly share information about road obstructions and accidents.

About 1 million people are estimated to leave the Kathmandu Valley this year.