One of five electric buses procured for tourists visiting Lumbini that had remained unused for a long time has resumed operations from Wednesday, following a direction from the Office of the Prime Minister.

As they remained idle, preparations were underway to move them to Kathmandu following a secretary-level decision by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

On Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office expressed interest in operating the buses, instructing their operation in Lumbini itself.

Following the directive, one modern electric bus has been put into operation on the Lumbini–Bhairahawa–Belahiya route from Wednesday morning, Dipak Shrestha, Member-Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, said. “Another bus is being charged,” he said. “Once it is charged, it will be operated on the Tilaurakot–Bhairahawa–Ramgram route from today.”

Five electric buses were procured to facilitate tourists while reducing environmental pollution. Of these, only two are currently in operable condition, while the remaining three are under repair.

According to the Trust, the bus service is being operated free of charge for now. Shrestha said QR codes will be placed at the bus doors within a day or two for voluntary contributions. He said fares will be charged only after a procedure is finalised.

In the Nepali months of Mangsir and Poush, 2077, 14 modern taxis and five buses arrived in Lumbini under a project, Clean Energy Nepal, with a grant from the Asian Development Bank. The buses and taxis were procured at a cost of Rs 130 million, while the government of Nepal bore customs duties of around Rs 35 million.

Of the 14 taxis, 12 are being used by Trust officials and staff, while two are currently out of operation due to accidents.