Kathmandu, 27 May: Public transport entrepreneurs in Nepal are preparing to launch a nationwide protest starting Jestha 16 (May 29, 2025). The protest is in opposition to recent decisions by provincial governments to allow private vehicles to operate under ride-sharing through newly introduced Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Guidelines.
According to Bishwaj Bahadur Swar, President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, the guidelines introduced by provincial governments contradict federal laws. As a result, they are preparing for a movement in protest. He announced a complete halt of public transportation in Gandaki Province starting from Jestha 16.
President Swar said that the provincial governments, under various influences, have allowed private four-wheelers older than 15 years and motorcycles older than 10 years to operate as public transport under ride-sharing. He stated,
“Allowing motorcycles under certain guidelines was agreed upon by public transport operators. It is being implemented at the federal level, and green number plates are given to tourist vehicles. Ride-sharing vehicles should also have separate number plates. If private vehicles start transporting passengers, what’s the point of investing heavily in public transportation?”
He further mentioned that Bagmati Province is in the process of drafting its own ride-sharing regulations, while Koshi Province has already introduced them. Transport entrepreneurs are demanding that the government better regulate ride-sharing services.
Swar said they are forming a Central Committee for the Protection of Public Transport to coordinate the protest. He expressed dissatisfaction that despite repeated efforts to resolve the issues, the government has not paid attention.
Transport operators complain that government actions are threatening the very existence of public transportation. They allege that the government is trying to replace traditional black plate public vehicles with red plate private vehicles through ride-sharing platforms.
The Key Demands of Transport Entrepreneurs:
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Withdrawal of the ‘Gandaki Province Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Guidelines, 2082’, which were published in the Gazette on Jestha 1 (May 14, 2025).
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No province should implement such provisions allowing private vehicles in ride-sharing.
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Ride-sharing apps like Pathao, Tootle, and InDrive should be brought under tax regulations, as public transport fares are regulated by the government while ride-sharing platforms set arbitrary fares.
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Due to a sharp rise in accidents involving ride-sharing vehicles, the government must regulate the sector strictly.
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A significant amount of revenue generated through these apps is going abroad, which should be prevented.
