Ktm-Pokhara tourist bus now operates twice a day

Pokhara: Tourism entrepreneurs have started operating tourist buses services twice a day one Pokhara-Kathmandu-Pokhara route from Monday. So far, they were operating the services only once in the morning.

Under the new arrangement, tourists would have two options. They can take the bus at 7:30 if it suits them. But if they want to start journey a bit late, they can catch the bus at 10:30 from Rastra Bank Chowk in Pokhara and Sorhakhutte in Kathmandu. The fare is same.

Tourism entrepreneurs said the frequency was increased because of increasing demand from domestic and foreign tourists. Kedar Sharma, President of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Pokhara Chapter said the increased number of bus services was going to facilitate tourists as they will not have to hurry early in the morning to catch the bus.

"Tourists now won´t have to fly if they missed the early morning bus,” added Sharma.

Tourism entrepreneurs in the lake city are hopeful that the new schedule will help attract more tourists from bordering Syangja, Baglung and Mustang districts.

However, Prithvi Highway Bus Entrepreneurs Committee (PHBEC), which is imposing transport syndicate one Pokhara-Kathmandu-Pokhara route, has warned to stop the additional bus service. Officials of the committee said the new service goes against the agreement between the committee and NATTA. They have even warned of shutting the Kathmandu-Pokhara tourist bus service if the additional bus service is not withdrawn.

The committee a month ago had stopped NATTA from operating tourist buses between Pokhara and Sauraha.

source: republica,7 May 2012