By Achyut Regmi, Kathmandu, Dec 13: The Lhotse Multipurpose Private Ltd has introduced the use of technology in ticketing in the New Bus Park at Gongabu, Kathmandu. The organization utilized the closure of the bus park to launch the new system.

It had remained shut down for around six months due to increasing coronavirus infections. According to organization Chair Deepak Kunwar, the new system was for minimizing the people’s crowds in the ticket counter and avoiding infection risk. "The introduction of technology is as per government’s direction. The government has, with changing time, envisaged the ‘digital Nepal’ campaign and we are committed to heading towards that direction," he said.

To date, 30 counters are computerized, but only 12 counters are delivering the service now. The remaining counters will switch to the new system soon.

Currently, the Multipurpose distributes the travel tickets for the destinations- Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Sunsari, Jhapa, Morang, Tehrathum, Udaypur, Siraha, Saptari, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, Bardiya, Banke, Dailekh, Rukum, Rolpa, Bhalubang, Burtibang, and Tikapur.

A woman found at Bus Park on Saturday at 2:00 pm expressed happiness over the computerized ticketing. She said, "Earlier, the transport/bus staffs used to hassle us- clinging and pulling hands to make their bus passengers. This time I felt comfortable and convenient that I took bus ticket to go to Dang," she observed.

Dhaulagiri-Gandaki Yatayat Private Ltd counter staff Pashupati Poudel said as it takes a little more time to complete the ticketing process on computer than the hand written ticket, it will take time for passengers to get adjusted with this system. The company has also implemented provisions for acquiring e-ticketing as well.

More, installation of GPS, a navigating system, will be taking place in every bus here to track the location of a vehicle and reduce the cases of road accidents due to driver’s negligence and wretched condition of roadways.

Around 1,500 vehicles here provide two-way services for over 50 districts from Taplejung in the east to Jumla in the west.

Of late, the bus park is seeing its face changed. Bishnumati corridor has been constructed in the west. Based in Kathmandu Metropolis-26 it has spread in 161 ropanis of land. It was established and come in operation in 2056 BS on the ‘public-private-partnership model.’

Then Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolis Keshab Sthapit and then Chair of Lhotse Multipurpose Gehendra Bahadur Karki had signed an agreement to this regard.