Transport workers, entrepreneurs announce nationwide protest

KATHMANDU: Public transport operators and workers have announced an indefinite nationwide transportation strike starting Monday.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, the Save Public Transport Central Struggle Committee, which represents eight different associations of transport entrepreneurs and workers, said transport entrepreneurs and workers would park their vehicles in the garage from Monday onwards.

Transport entrepreneurs and workers are protesting the ride-sharing regulations brought by the Gandaki Province Government last week. They are protesting a provision that allows private two-wheelers and four-wheelers to operate as public transport through a booking/ride-sharing platform.

“Although we had put forth our concerns on the regulations to the Gandaki Province Government as well as the concerned federal ministry, officials didn’t address our concerns. We then submitted a seven-point memorandum to the federal government, which was also ignored,” the statement said. “This forced us to launch a nationwide protest.”