Editing Thimphu (section)

==Transport==

===Roads===
The layout and position of the city roads in Thimphu are dictated by its unique topography. Most premier roads, typically wide, are aligned in a north–south direction, parallel to the river; the most important artery is the [[Norzin Lam]] (''Lam'' - road/street). Branch roads wind along the hill slopes leading to residential areas. Footpaths are also well laid with access to the commercial areas and the Wang Chu River. However, its entry point is at a narrow location from the south crossed by a wooden bridge. South of the bridge is the road to Paro, Punakha, [[Wangdue Phodrang District|Wangdue Phodrang]], [[Tongsa]] and further to the east and north.<ref name=plan/><ref name=Fraser/> The expressway which has been built has had a large impact on development, shifting land values, decreasing transportation costs, and increasing potential growth opportunity in the southern part of the valley.<ref name=plan/>

Bhutan Transport Corporation runs a regular bus service from [[Siliguri]] (which along with nearby [[New Jalpaiguri]] station are the nearest railheads) in India. It takes about four hours to reach Phuentsholing. From there, buses ply to Thimphu every day. Taxis can also be hired.<ref name=cloud>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/a-walk-in-the-clouds/478822/4|title= A walk in the clouds|access-date=2010-06-07|newspaper=Indian Express|date=2009-06-21}}</ref>

The unique aspect of Thimphu roads and the traffic control over the road network is that it is one of the two [[Capital (political)|national capitals]] in the world that does not have [[traffic lights]] (the other is [[Ngerulmud]], [[Palau]]). Local authorities had installed a set of lights but before they became operational the lights were removed. Instead of traffic lights, the city takes pride in its traffic police that directs the oncoming traffic with their dance-like movement of their arms and hands.<ref name=Dzongkhag/><ref name=plan/> City Bus services operate throughout the day. There are plans to introduce tram services in the city.<ref name=Dzongkhag/>

===Air===

Thimphu is served by the only international airport of Bhutan, [[Paro Airport]], which is about {{convert|54|km|mi}} away by road. [[Druk Air]] had its headquarters in Thimphu but now there is only a branch office.<ref name=Dzongkhag/> Druk Air is one of only two airlines flying into Bhutan excluding charter flights by [[Buddha Air]] and is a lifeline with the outside world for the [[Demographics of Bhutan|Bhutanese people]],<ref name="airlinebusiness">{{cite news|last = Ionides|first = Nicholas|title = Bhutan's Druk Air looks to expand|publisher = [[Airline Business]]|date =2008-04-09|url =http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/09/222856/bhutans-druk-air-looks-to-expand.html|access-date = 2008-07-15}}</ref> also supporting emerging inbound [[Tourism in Bhutan|tourism]] and export markets.<ref name="happiness">{{cite news|last =Tashi| first = Tshering|title = Bhutan, Land of Happiness|publisher = [[Bhutan Observer]]|date =2008-06-13|url = http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/2008/readers-voices/06/%E2%80%9Cbhutan-land-of-happiness%E2%80%9D.html|access-date = 2015-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812095645/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/2008/readers-voices/06/%E2%80%9Cbhutan-land-of-happiness%E2%80%9D.html/print/|archive-date=2010-08-12|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13415 |title=250,000 tourists a year? |last=Choden |first=Phuntsho |date=12 September 2009 |publisher=[[Kuensel]] |access-date=1 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305053432/http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13415 |archive-date=5 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="flyingdragon">{{cite journal|last = Chattopadhyay|first = Suhrid Sankar|title = Flying dragon|journal = [[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|volume = 26|issue = 20|page = 122|publisher = [[The Hindu Group]]|location = [[Chennai]], India|date = 2009-10-09|url = http://www.flonnet.com/fl2620/stories/20091009262012200.htm|issn = 0970-1710|access-date = 2009-10-01|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100101200916/http://flonnet.com/fl2620/stories/20091009262012200.htm|archive-date = 2010-01-01}}</ref> The airline has in recent times been criticised for its unreliability, particularly from the Bhutanese tourism industry which is still in its infancy, and regards the very company upon which it relies as its biggest threat.<ref name="happiness"/> [[Tashi Air]] is a more recent private airline in the country, commencing operations in 2011.