Kathmandu, With the approach of Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, the Gongabu-based New Bus Park has started witnessing heavy passenger flow.

Students Heading Home

Following the protests organized by the ‘Gen-Z’ movement on September 8 and 9, Tribhuvan University and its affiliated campuses announced holidays. As a result, many students studying in Kathmandu have begun traveling back to their home districts.

Daily Passenger Numbers Tripled

Pankaj Malla, Head of Human Resources at Lhotse Multipurpose Pvt. Ltd., which operates the New Bus Park, said the number of passengers has sharply increased. Previously, 4,000–5,000 people departed daily, but now the figure has surged to 12,000–15,000. He added that after public transport resumed following the disruption caused by the protests, more than 65,000 people have already left the Valley for their hometowns.

No Advance Ticketing This Year

Malla further noted that a meeting at the Department of Transport Management on Tuesday decided not to open advance ticket booking for this year’s Dashain festival.

Fewer Travelers Expected During Dashain

According to Saroj Sitoula, Senior Vice President of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, the early rush of travelers might result in fewer passengers traveling during the peak Dashain period.

Transport Arrangements for Festivals

Currently, buses from the New Bus Park operate routes to over 65 districts across the country. To manage festival travel, the government has opened special route permits from September 22 (Ghatasthapana) to October 8, ensuring smoother transport services nationwide.