Started the heritage Tour bus service in Kathmandu

The Heritage Tour bus service was launched in Kathmandu on Tuesday to promote significant heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Civil Aviation, and the Nepal Tourism Board have jointly initiated this service in collaboration with Lalitpur, which will operate such services. The trial operation of the heritage-touring bus service has been conducted, which provides easy access to listed heritage sites such as Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudhan Kirati, along with Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, has inaugurated the heritage-touring bus service from Lalitpur. Minister Kirati expressed his expectations that this bus service would contribute to developing major heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley. He considered it a small effort towards promoting tourism in the valley and mentioned that plans would be made to expand its coverage after testing the service.

Starting from Tuesday, the heritage bus service has provided travel from Pulchowk to Narayanhiti Palace Museum, among other destinations, as informed by Minister Kirati.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan has expressed his commitment to support the heritage-touring bus service to promote tourism. He emphasized the importance of coordination and cooperation from all stakeholders to make this initiative successful.

According to the senior director of the Tourism Board, Hikmat Singh Ayer, the board has initiated the heritage-touring bus service in coordination with private sector organizations and businesses to make this service successful and impactful for the region’s tourism development.

The Executive Chairman of the Joint Transport Operation, Sushil Pyakurel, provided information about the daily operation of two electric buses on the heritage-touring bus route and mentioned plans to add more buses based on the success of this service.

As per the Tourism Board, the heritage-touring bus will operate from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The bus will pass through various locations, including Joint Transport, Pulchowk Tourist Bus Park (near Lalitpur Metropolitan City), Mahakal Temple, Army Hospital, Jamal, Durbar Marg, Narayanhit Darbar Museum, Kamalpokhari, Tourist Bus Park near Pashupatinath Temple, Gausala, Chabahil Chowk, and Taragaun Museum, before reaching the Buddhist area.

The information provided by the board states that the heritage-touring bus will pass through Taragaun Museum, Boudha, Chabahil Chowk, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Gangabu Bus Park, Swayambhu Bhagwan Pau, Chauni Museum, Paropakar (Kalimati), Balaju Chowk, Ring Road, Ekantakuna, Central Zoo, and Jawalakhel Chowk before reaching Pulchowk.

The board has proposed a fare of 500 rupees per day for travel on this route. If the fare is not approved, the joint transport will provide the service free of charge. After purchasing a ticket once, passengers can board any bus on the same route throughout the day and return to the same route after visiting the heritage sites. This is the first time such a service has been initiated in Nepal.

Reference:

काठमाडौंमा सुरू भयो सम्पदा घुम्ती बस सेवा, यस्तो छ रूट