Transport operators warn against promoting ride-sharing platforms

KATHMANDU: Transport entrepreneurs have objected to Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey’s recent statement that ride-sharing regulations would be implemented after a month.

During a discussion held in Kathmandu on Monday between the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, transport labor unions, and the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, transport entrepreneurs expressed dissatisfaction over the chief minister’s remarks. They argued that instead of focusing on organizing the public transport system, the chief minister’s statement promotes ride-sharing in a way that could undermine their sector.

Saroj Sitoula, senior vice president of the federation, said the chief minister’s comment could spark another protest in the public transport sector. He urged the government to implement the recent agreement reached with transport entrepreneurs. Sitoula warned that endorsing ride-sharing in the name of employment could displace hundreds of thousands of transport workers. He also accused ride-sharing platforms of disrupting the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Chief SSP Navaraj Adhikari assured that the traffic police would operate within the law. He also expressed a commitment to focus on technical improvements in road management and enhance the effectiveness of traffic enforcement.