18 October 2005
Kathmandu - Lhasa bus faces uncertainty
(Kathmandu Post) The reluctance of the Chinese government to issue travel permits to foreign passengers travelling by the Nepalese bus company, Sajha Yatayat (SY), has put the future of the direct Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service in jeopardy. "SY has not been able to ferry foreign travellers to Lhasa since September 27, following the decision of the Tibetan authorities not to issue travel documents to foreigners travelling by the Yatayat", an SY official said. "Ever since then SY has been ferrying a handful of Nepali passengers, who either visit the place for business purpose or to meet family friends or relatives", he added. The official, however, said that the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), the concerned Tibetan authority, has been issuing group visas to foreigners who process their travel documents from other travel agencies and has not put restriction on those wishing to travel by air. "The silence maintained by TTB has put Sajha in a fix. We do not know why the Chinese government is delaying the process of issuing permits to foreigners despite signing an agreement at ministerial level", he said.