Himal Press 
POKHARA: Transport entrepreneurs in Pokhara have launched a protest after the government began preparations to introduce guidelines allowing ride-sharing services. On Thursday, they blocked traffic by parking vehicles across roads.
Transport entrepreneurs, who have opposed ride-sharing services from the start, began the protest after learning that the Gandaki Province Government was planning to bring guidelines to promote ride-sharing. They claim that the use of private vehicles to move passengers was damaging public transport businesses.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Yogendra KC, Gandaki Province Secretary of the Nepal Transport Operators National Federation, warned that they would park all their vehicles in garages from Sunday if their demands are not met. He accused the provincial government of victimizing operators by creating laws contrary to Section 8 of the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 1992.
KC said that vehicles with red registration plates (private) should not be allowed to transport passengers like those with black plates (public).
Transport entrepreneurs took out a rally from Amar Singh Chowk. They marched through various parts of the city and submitted a memorandum to Shankar Pandit, Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport.
The transport entrepreneurs have called for the immediate cancellation of the province government’s plan to allow private two-wheelers and four-wheelers for passenger transport. Additionally, they have asked the government to form a transport authority to prepare guidelines for transport operations, implement a road safety plan, make scientific adjustments to fares, and guarantee the security of transport workers and entrepreneurs.
