The government is planning to bring back trolley buses in the Kathmandu Valley under the Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transport (KSUT) project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, the project would introduce trolley buses most likely on the Ring Road, the Bishnumati Link Road and the Bhaktapur-Kathmandu route under the second phase of the KSUT that is scheduled to start in 2013.

“Even though we had a bad experience of operating trolley buses, the new system will be managed and operated by the private sector with funding from the government,” said Purna Kadariya, secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning. “Loans will be provided to interested firms by the government.”

The introduction of trolley buses and electric vehicles is aimed at changing the mode of transport from private vehicles to public to reduce traffic congestion in the valley.

“In the first phase of the project starting from mid-July, we will conduct a study on the operation of trolley buses, and the service will come into operation in the second phase.”

The project plans to operate electric vehicles on the Budhanilkantha-Lagankhel and Thankot-Kalanki-Bhaktapur routes in the first phase.

It chose these two routes asthey are longer than other routes in the valley.

KSUT, one of the biggest projects on transport management in South Asia, is an integrated project aimed at improving the quality of urban life in the Kathmandu Valley through the delivery of a more efficient, safe, and sustainable urban transport system.

Under the first phase of the project, the government also plans to build big underground parking lots at Tundikhel, Lainchaur and other parking areas around the Bishnumati Link Road. The heritage routes in the core city areas will be made fully pedestrian.

According to the ministry, the KSUT project would cost around US$ 28-29 million. The ADB has provided grants and loans amounting to US$ 22 million to this project. Similarly, Global Environment Facility has also offered a grant of US$ 3 million.

“The government will make up the shortfall,” said Kadariya, who is also chairman of the project steering committee representing Ministry of Physical Planning.

The ministry will carry out this project in collaboration with the Department of Roads, the Department of Transport Management, the Traffic Police and Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Source: The Kathmandu Post (July 08, 2010), Business, "Trolley Buses to be back?"