Public Transportation Assessment Along Kathmandu Bhaktapur Route

Abstract

The transportation sector of Kathmandu
Valley is facing numerous intricacies because
of soaring population density. According to
the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office,
the number of vehicles that ply the Valley
roads at present is 1.75 million. Just a year
ago, traffic police data showed the number to
be 1.4 million. Also, only about 20% of the
vehicles are used for public service suggesting
that public transportation management has
been a major challenge in Kathmandu Valley.
This leads to an increase in travel time
coupled with huge traffic congestion. The
Kathmandu Bhaktapur route is around 13
KM in length and is used by more than 68000
passengers on normal days and more than
56000 passengers on public holidays; but the
service offered is not reliable and systematic
and needs to be upgraded. Significant travel
duration due to low running speed, and
unnecessary and frequent stops at short
distances proved to be the major issues. After
the removal of unnecessary stations, 3200
passengers’ hours can be saved.