Nepal government launches women-only 'Blue Bus' service after budget allocation

Nepal's government is moving forward with its 'Blue Bus' initiative, a women-only transportation service, after securing financial backing in the upcoming fiscal year's budget. The project, initially announced as part of a governance reform agenda, aims to provide safe and accessible transport for women.

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The Department of Transport Management and Sajha Yatayat are working on the operation modality. We are coordinating across agencies to decide who will run the buses and how to manage daily operations.

The Department of Transportation Management and the state-linked cooperative Sajha Yatayat are collaborating to draft the operational framework. Key considerations include route planning, cost management, and ensuring the service's long-term viability. The government plans to equip the buses with CCTV cameras for enhanced safety.

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Since the government announced that the service will be free for women, partnering with private operators is not viable right now.

However, the implementation faces several hurdles. Ram Hari Pokharel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, confirmed funding but noted inter-agency coordination is ongoing to determine operational responsibilities. Since the department lacks its own fleet, reliance on Sajha Yatayat is necessary. A preliminary proposal has been sent to the cooperative for framework development.

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Starting a bus service is easy, but keeping it running is the real challenge. We must clarify the exact source of funding. Fuel, drivers, drivers’ assistants, repairs, and administrative overheads all require a steady budget. We need a clear procedure on how these funds will be transferred and accounted for.

Sajha Yatayat's CEO, Bhupendra Aryal, stressed that sustainability is paramount, citing the need for a clear funding mechanism to cover fuel, staffing, and maintenance. He also pointed out practical challenges, such as the potential exclusion of male family members traveling with women, which could affect ordinary commuters. The government intends to launch a pilot project in Kathmandu to assess feasibility before considering a national rollout. The 'Blue Bus' concept was previously piloted in a local municipality by a prominent politician.

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Families often travel together. If a husband and wife are out together, the husband cannot board this bus. It creates immediate practical problems for ordinary commuters.