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Introduction
Being stuck in the house for so long during the 2020 pandemic I spent a lot of time thinking about how I could help my planet, Nepal and the people here in the Kathmandu Valley. Here’s what I came up with. I’m looking for someone who knows the right someone to make this happen. I’m an expat/immigrant to Nepal so I cannot conduct any business here. I am here to help as much or as little as needed.
Please help me to get this into the hands of the right politician or anyone in a position to make this happen.
Overview
Modern, electric buses are needed in the Kathmandu Valley to help with pollution and with congestion. Although the benefits would be tremendous the cost would be just as enormous.
However, what if the money could be raised without creating a burden on the people or causing the government to have a heavier load than it already has? This project will provide all the money needed for this transition through a voluntary, rounding-up campaign sponsored by banks and other Nepali businesses.
Details
Small, metal banks in the shape of buses can be made and placed at cashier check-out desks where it will say, ‘Got a rupee? Give a rupee! Get an Electric Bus!’ or some other catchy slogan in Nepalese. These will be like the metal banks that are popular in the shape of a house that are readily available at aluminum/stainless steal workshops.
This money will be used for electric buses and the old buses will be exchanged as new buses are provided. Bus owners will be able to trade up by giving their old bus, which will be taken off the road. It will be a one for one exchange first then new, additional, electric buses will be put on the road. It can be 100% people funded.
The idea is that customers can donate a 5 rupee note or a coin they get in their change when they pay at checkout. Instead of putting it all into their pocket they can put it into the little bus shaped bank as they take their groceries or finish their bank transaction. Each store or bank in this project will have a display to encourage people to trust that it will work without corruption being an issue.
One way to encourage donations would be that the bank or store chain can advertise how much they have brought in with their customers and see which store or bank branch brings in the most money.
Another idea to encourage participation would be the following: Customers could enter a contest each time they shop at the store for a weekly drawing. Perhaps they could get an entry slip each time they donate. Prizes would be gift cards and other ‘in-kind’ donations from large, Nepali companies. They will get publicity in exchange for their participation.
Prizes can be things like a free bus pass for a year, 5 years or even a lifetime of free bus travel in the Kathmandu Valley. Ncell and other corporations can provide gifts as prizes: recharge cards, mountain flight tickets, gift certificates for shopping, etc.
The store or bank will be able to advertise on the buses they actually collect enough money to purchase. The buses or bus routes could be named after the corporation that sponsored the bus. For example, a bus or route may be called ‘Batbhatini 1,’ ‘Big Mart 2’ ‘NIB 1.’ The buses will actually be donated to the program by the companies through their customers’ donations.
Some of the money can be used for low interest loans for people to buy electric cars and scooters, as well. One grand prize could even be an electric scooter or electric car. It will all be paid for by customer donations, one rupee at a time.
Summary
The much needed electric buses for the Kathmandu Valley can be purchased without a burden for the people or government. People can simply round up a bit from the change they get while shopping. Not only will this help the environment, but it will be enjoyable for the people.
The key to this program’s success is the enthusiasm the people have to support it. Therefore many gifts from merchants and possibly cash gifts out of the donations will be important. Additionally, it will be important to keep the transportation industry functioning well.
Modern, electric buses are needed in the Kathmandu Valley to help with pollution and with congestion. Although the benefits would be tremendous the cost would be just as enormous.
However, what if the money could be raised without creating a burden on the people or causing the government to have a heavier load than it already has? This project will provide all the money needed for this transition through a voluntary, rounding-up campaign sponsored by banks and other Nepali businesses.
Details
Small, metal banks in the shape of buses can be made and placed at cashier check-out desks where it will say, ‘Got a rupee? Give a rupee! Get an Electric Bus!’ or some other catchy slogan in Nepalese. These will be like the metal banks that are popular in the shape of a house that are readily available at aluminum/stainless steal workshops.
This money will be used for electric buses and the old buses will be exchanged as new buses are provided. Bus owners will be able to trade up by giving their old bus, which will be taken off the road. It will be a one for one exchange first then new, additional, electric buses will be put on the road. It can be 100% people funded.
The idea is that customers can donate a 5 rupee note or a coin they get in their change when they pay at checkout. Instead of putting it all into their pocket they can put it into the little bus shaped bank as they take their groceries or finish their bank transaction. Each store or bank in this project will have a display to encourage people to trust that it will work without corruption being an issue.
One way to encourage donations would be that the bank or store chain can advertise how much they have brought in with their customers and see which store or bank branch brings in the most money.
Another idea to encourage participation would be the following: Customers could enter a contest each time they shop at the store for a weekly drawing. Perhaps they could get an entry slip each time they donate. Prizes would be gift cards and other ‘in-kind’ donations from large, Nepali companies. They will get publicity in exchange for their participation.
Prizes can be things like a free bus pass for a year, 5 years or even a lifetime of free bus travel in the Kathmandu Valley. Ncell and other corporations can provide gifts as prizes: recharge cards, mountain flight tickets, gift certificates for shopping, etc.
The store or bank will be able to advertise on the buses they actually collect enough money to purchase. The buses or bus routes could be named after the corporation that sponsored the bus. For example, a bus or route may be called ‘Batbhatini 1,’ ‘Big Mart 2’ ‘NIB 1.’ The buses will actually be donated to the program by the companies through their customers’ donations.
Some of the money can be used for low interest loans for people to buy electric cars and scooters, as well. One grand prize could even be an electric scooter or electric car. It will all be paid for by customer donations, one rupee at a time.
Summary
The much needed electric buses for the Kathmandu Valley can be purchased without a burden for the people or government. People can simply round up a bit from the change they get while shopping. Not only will this help the environment, but it will be enjoyable for the people.
The key to this program’s success is the enthusiasm the people have to support it. Therefore many gifts from merchants and possibly cash gifts out of the donations will be important. Additionally, it will be important to keep the transportation industry functioning well.
Kay Garnay for Nepal invites anyone to take this and make it your own. We have no attachment to this idea other than to help Nepal.
