Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transport Project: Mass Transit Options and Prioritization study

Project Description

The Government of Nepal has received financing from the Asian Development Bank in the form of a loan and grant, and a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) toward the cost of the Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transport Project (KSUTP). The Project aims to improve the quality of urban life in the capital city of Nepal through the delivery of a more efficient, safe and sustainable Urban Transport System (UTS) favouring local economic growth and addressing climate change and air pollution mitigation. The UTS will be enhanced by focusing on (i) a plan to rationalize and upgrade the existing public transport network, and test this approach through the implementation of pilot routes provided with electric or other low-emission vehicles; (ii) traffic management work and measures which will enable heritage routes in the city core to be pedestrianized, and will improve general walkability and (iii) the improvement of air quality monitoring. The objective of the project is to improve Public Transport conditions and the walking environment in the Kathmandu Valley area through a modal shift from private vehicles to Public Transport and to enhance the traffic conditions in Kathmandu Valley.

Assignment Description

The Study identified five (5) mass transit corridor options and selected Bhaktapur to Gongabu corridor (total length18.3 km) as the priority corridor. Mass transit options considered in the Study included (1) conventional bus, (2) electric powered trolley bus, (3) bus rapid transit, (4) tram or light rail transit, (5) automated guide way transit, (6) metro rail, and (7) cable car. Major Works Carried out: Task 1: Mass Transit Option Analysis that included (i) Critically reviewing existing information, policies and studies; (ii) Investigating financial resources and funding; (iii) Defining the mass transit options for evaluation, (iv) Preparing an Inception Workshop; (v) Proposing preliminary alignments, route structure, concept design; (vi) Estimating passenger demand and ridership; (vii) Defining operational characteristics of each option, (viii) Assessing reduction in direct GHG emissions resulting from each option; (ix) Developing capital, O&M costs estimates, ridership and revenues (x) Undertaking an economic and financial evaluation; (xi) Multi-criteria evaluation of options and recommendation of the preferred option, (xii) Organizing an overseas study tour; and (xiii) Conducting Mass Transit Options Analysis Workshop, Task 2: Selection of a Mass Transit Priority Corridor that included (i) Developing the concept and characteristics of the proposed mass transit option; (ii) Estimating ridership on each route and undertake sensitivity analysis; (iii) Developing a fare structure for the mass transit system; (iv) Undertaking multi-criteria evaluation and prioritization select priority corridor; and (v) Conducting Mass Transit Priority Corridor Workshop. Task 3: Mass Transit Priority Corridor Pre-feasibility Assessment that included (i) Setting out the physical characteristics of the priority corridor; (ii) Developing an operational plan; (iii) Developing life cycle, capital, maintenance and operational costs; (iv) Assessing financial viability of operation; (v): Assessing economic viability; and (vi) Undertaking environmental and social assessment and develop mitigation measures. Task 4: Policy, Regulation and Institutional Evaluation that included (i) Reviewing of existing policy, legislation and regulations; (ii) Identifying the existing institutional structures responsible for urban mass transit; (iii) Identifying functional needs of proposed system, evaluate alternative structures (iv) Stakeholder workshop and reassess recommendations; and (v) Assessing the required legislative amendments. The Consultant also Carried out: Public Vehicle occupancy Survey and Traffic Count Survey in 12 stations in Kathmandu Valley (from 5: 00 am to 21:00 pm)