KATHMANDU, June 4: The Gandaki Province government suspended the controversial Ride-Sharing Regulation for a month, leading transport entrepreneurs to call off their protest. As a result, public transportation services resumed across the country.
Starting Monday, transport entrepreneurs launched an indefinite strike to pressure the Gandaki government to withdraw the ride-sharing regulation aimed at regulating the sector.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers sent a letter on Tuesday, instructing the Gandaki Province government not to implement the Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulation 2082 BS for the time being. Following the directive, the provincial government backed down.
The Prime Minister's Office said it issued the instruction to ease public hardship caused by the protest.
Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey and the negotiation committee decided to suspend the implementation of the Ride-Sharing Regulation for a month, according to Kamal Kumar Adhikari, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management and coordinator of the negotiation committee.
He said the government would invite transport entrepreneurs for further dialogue and, during this period, suspend the enforcement of provisions under the Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulation 2082 BS.
Netizens vent ire over action against ridesharing services
In a six-point agreement reached late Monday night, the government and transport entrepreneurs agreed that the federal government would urge the Gandaki Province government to immediately suspend the newly introduced ride-sharing regulation. Following the agreement, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers sent a letter on Tuesday, asking the province to suspend the regulation.
The regulation triggered outrage among transport entrepreneurs by allowing all types of vehicles to operate under an online system for passenger transport. Among their seven demands, the first one called for the immediate repeal of the Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulation 2082 BS, introduced by the Gandaki Province government.
What does the regulation say?
The Gandaki Province government introduced the Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulation 2082, which allows all types of vehicles to provide ride-sharing services by registering through an online system.
To join the service, vehicle owners must insure passengers, third parties and the vehicle itself; pass a vehicle inspection; display the government-designated sign; and pay the prescribed fee. Only after meeting these requirements can they transport passengers and charge the approved fare.
The regulation requires vehicles to display the "RS" sign for ride-sharing and the "SD" sign for self-driving services. It also limits the validity of the ride-sharing or self-driving permit, recorded in the vehicle registration certificate (blue book), to a maximum of one year at a time.
The regulation mandates action against those who fail to enforce its provisions. It permits only motorcycles/scooters and four-wheeled cars to operate ride-sharing services. It restricts two-wheelers from traveling more than 20 kilometers. The regulation designates specific areas and routes for all types of vehicles.
It allows only two-wheeled petroleum vehicles less than 10 years old and four-wheeled petroleum vehicles less than 15 years old to operate under the service. Through this provision, the government aims to discourage the use of older vehicles.
The regulation promotes passenger safety by requiring insurance and the use of helmets. It also requires service providers to run a 24-hour grievance handling center to address complaints related to ride-sharing.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management of the provincial government will form a monitoring and evaluation committee, led by the ministry secretary, to assess ride-sharing services, according to the regulation. The regulation also requires service providers to use a ride-sharing app and mandates the ministry to set the base fare for transport services.
The regulation allows ride-sharing service providers to charge vehicle owners or drivers a service fee of up to 12 percent per transaction. It also requires them to deposit 1 percent of each transaction into the provincial government's fund. The regulation limits working hours by prohibiting anyone from working more than 12 hours a day.
It further clarifies that ride-sharing services do not apply to mini-buses, city buses, large buses, or trucks.
The provincial government says operating ride-sharing services through an online system removes the obligation for taxis to wait for passengers and carry passengers only one way. It also guarantees citizens easy, convenient, and safe travel.
On Falgun 29, 2076 BS (March 12, 2020), the High Court, Patan, heard a writ filed by the Taxi Entrepreneurs Association and directed authorities not to stop ride-sharing services immediately and to allow them to operate under proper legal regulations. Additionally, on Magh 28, 2075 BS (February 11, 2019), the Supreme Court directed the government not to shut down ride-sharing or similar services and to immediately establish legal arrangements, following a writ that had caused their closure. The court released the full text of this verdict on Asar 13, 2081 BS (June 27, 2024).
To implement these court decisions and directives, the Department of Transport Management has sent letters to provincial governments instructing them to prepare the necessary laws.
