Buoyant Sajha Yatayat to expand fleet, routes

KATHMANDU, SEP 12 -Sajha Yatayat Cooperative is planning to expand its fleet encouraged by the overwhelming response to the resumption of its bus services in April with 16 new coaches. The cooperative has been looking for funds from bank and financial institutions to buy buses for its expansion plan.

Sajha plans to operate on other routes in the Kathmandu valley and elsewhere in the country after it acquires new equipment. The number, types and features of the vehicles to be added will depend on the amount of money available, said Sajha. “If things go well, we will be bringing modern Euro IV emission standards vehicles for operation on additional routes in the valley within a year,” said Mahendra Pandeya, manager of Sajha. He added that with the widening of the roads in the valley and increased demand, operation of public transportation services had bright prospects.

Sajha resumed services after a decade-long gap with 16 new buses on two routes. They are Satdobato-Lagankhel-Jawalakhel-Tripureshwor-Ratna Park-Maharajgunj-Basundhara-New Bus Park and Kalanki-Kalimati-New Baneshwor-Tinkune-Airport. Since the service started, more than 10,000 commuters have been riding Sajha buses daily.
Despite the growth in the number of public vehicles and new bus routes in the valley, public perception of the local mass transportation system is still poor. “The vehicles run by the private sector are small and they cram as many passengers as possible,” said Suresh Gaire, a college student. He added that the government should promote mass transportation to discourage the use of personal automobiles.

The number of private vehicles has increased in the country for lack of public transportation services. Pandeya said that a growth in effective public transportation would reduce fuel imports and help keep the environment safe from air pollution. Sajha has been asked to operate services outside the Ring Road too, he said. Sajha’s 16 buses are compliant with Euro-III emission standards. They are fitted with 55 seats and 15 strap-hangers for standing passengers. The buses have automated doors, CCTV cameras and display screens for advertisements, public notices and entertainment.

Sajha began bus services in Kathmandu in 1961. It stopped operations and went into hibernation in 2002 plagued by political interference and overstaffing problems. In 2011, it was revived with a new executive board elected from the general public.