Kathmandu, Oct. 16: Hundreds of passengers travelling to Western Nepal, Sudurpaschim and Karnali regions were queuing at Gongabu’s New Bus Park from the early hours of the morning to buy long-distance bus tickets.
Although passenger help desks had been deployed to manage the crowds, notices reading “No Online, Only Cash” pasted on ticket windows were raising questions about the gap between digital progress and the realities of public transport services.
The six-day scene at the New Bus Park was a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Students pursuing higher education in the capital, private- and government-sector employees, and daily-wage workers stood in the chilly morning air, hoping to secure seats for their journeys home for Dashain.
A banner displayed on the red-brick wall listed fares to various destinations. However, a small instruction at the bottom caught the attention of passengers: “Please make payments in cash.”
In an age when digital wallets, mobile banking and QR-code payments have become increasingly common, the cash-only requirement has added inconvenience for passengers who prefer cashless transactions.
It also means carrying physical money, potentially exposing travellers to the risk of theft or pickpocketing in crowded areas.
The issue has become particularly relevant during the Dashain travel rush, when thousands of people leave Kathmandu Valley to celebrate the festival with their families.
Advance ticket bookings for Dashain opened on October 9, drawing crowds to Gongabu and other major departure points in the capital. The Department of Transport Management has also identified online platforms such as eSewa, Khalti and BusSewa as alternatives for passengers wishing to book tickets without visiting counters in person.
However, the availability of online booking does not necessarily mean that passengers can use digital payment methods at every ticket counter. The cash-only notices observed at some windows highlight the need for greater consistency in ticketing and payment services.
The situation also raises questions about the implementation of digital ticketing at the New Bus Park. In March 2025, online ticketing was introduced at all 47 ticket counters inside the bus park in a move intended to make the facility more technology-friendly and improve services for passengers.
While online ticketing can help passengers access seat information and make bookings more conveniently, the payment options available at individual counters remain an important part of the customer experience, said Sangita Acharya Adhikari, who was found buying the ticket to Gorkha.
For students and workers with busy schedules, the ability to book tickets and pay digitally can reduce the need to travel to the bus park, stand in queues and carry cash. Cashless payments can also make transactions easier to document, although their effectiveness depends on reliable systems and clear confirmation of bookings.
Meanwhile, authorities and transport operators have taken measures to manage the seasonal rush. Additional ticket counters and security arrangements have been introduced, while passenger help desks have been established at key locations in Kathmandu Valley to address complaints and help travellers, said SP Naresh Raj Subedi of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Ramshahpath.
Yet, efficient crowd management alone cannot address every difficulty faced by passengers. Clear information about fares, available seats, payment methods and departure schedules is equally important, particularly for elderly people, students and travellers unfamiliar with online booking systems, Shreekanta Batala, an electrical technician found at the Bus Park shared.
SP Subedi said allowing digital payments wherever online ticketing is available, displaying payment options (cash only) clearly and ensuring that passengers receive valid tickets could help improve public confidence in the service. The “cash only” notice may appear to be a minor detail amid the festive rush. However, at a major transport hub serving destinations across the country, it highlights a broader challenge: ensuring that technological improvements translate into practical benefits for ordinary travellers.
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