KATHMANDU: Nepal is preparing to introduce articulated electric buses capable of carrying up to 220 passengers at a time. Shashila Motors Pvt. Ltd. has started preparations to bring articulated electric buses manufactured by Chinese company Fencer.
The plan is being considered in line with the Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transport Project (KSUTP) report prepared under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. The report has suggested operating large articulated buses on major routes in the Kathmandu Valley.
The report, prepared with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2014, proposed restructuring more than 200 public transport routes in the valley. The routes were classified into three categories, primary, secondary, and tertiary. It suggested operating 12-meter to 18-meter-long buses on primary routes.
Shashila Motors Managing Director Santosh Khatiwada said the company is ready to bring 18-meter articulated buses if the government implements the proposed transport plan.
“We have reviewed the articulated buses manufactured by Fencer in China. If the government moves ahead with the plan for large buses on primary routes, we are ready to introduce them,” Khatiwada said.
He added that no transport committee or government agency has placed an official order for the bus yet. The company is currently studying the possibility of bringing the model to Nepal.
According to Khatiwada, articulated buses are expensive compared to regular buses. The bus costs around USD 300,000 in the international market and is expected to cost more than Rs 60 million after taxes and other charges in Nepal.
Khatiwada, who is also the chairman of Mahanagar Yatayat Pvt. Ltd., said the company is planning to operate an articulated bus in the near future. Mahanagar Yatayat has recently started operating 16 electric buses on the Ring Road.
He said the articulated bus can currently operate on routes such as the Ring Road and Airport-Kalanki corridor. However, the bus would require dedicated lanes due to its large size and may not be suitable for narrow inner roads.
The Fencer articulated electric bus features 64 seats and can carry around 220 passengers including standing passengers. The company expects the bus to improve public transportation capacity and reduce congestion.
The bus is equipped with an 800 kWh battery pack. An articulated bus connects two sections with a flexible joint, allowing easier turning despite its long body. It also includes multiple doors, low-floor design, passenger seating, and standing areas with strap handles.
The low-floor structure is expected to make boarding easier for elderly passengers, children, and people with disabilities.
