As Nepal and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic
relations, tickets went on sale for the new regular bus service
between Kathmandu and Lhasa, capital of Tibet
Autonomous Region, which goes into operation on the Chinese
side on April 29.
Kong Chunfang, general manager of Himalaya
Passenger Transport Co., Ltd., the operator of the Chinese bus
line, said they would be allowed to make eight trips every
month.
Under the banner of Nepal's state-run transport
company Sajha Yatayat, Gorkha Travels Company Limited of Lhasa will
run the buses from Kathmandu.
According to Kong, the journey of over 955
kilometers, including 114 kilometers in Nepalese territory, will
take two days and cost US$70 one-way. Passengers will stay at
Sigatse City for one night and then pass Zhangmu land port.
Kong said an airplane standard of service will be
provided on their two 35-seat South Korean Hyundai luxury
buses.
Each bus is to be staffed by two drivers and one
conductor, who will be able to speak Mandarin, Tibetan, Nepalese
and English.
The Kathmandu-Lhasa highway was completed in 1965,
and played an important role in cargo transportation and trade.
According to the bus company manager, journeys will
be made on the morning of every Tuesday and Friday. For further
information, travelers can call
0891-6824268.??
(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong April 28, 2005)