KATHMANDU, May 27: Eight transport business associations have announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting June 2, citing unresolved problems in the sector.
At a press conference held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the associations expressed solidarity under the banner of the Central Struggle Committee to Save Public Transport. Key groups involved include the National Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs, Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Nepal (FTTEN), Federation of Transporter Nepal, and the Nepal Transport Workers Union.
The Struggle Committee has put forward a list of seven demands. It warned that if these are not addressed, transport entrepreneurs will stage a protest by displaying black flags on vehicles across all six provinces on June 1, followed by an indefinite halt to services beginning June 2, with vehicles parked in garages.
Transporters announce series of protests
The entrepreneurs have called for the immediate repeal of Chapter 2, Section 8(2), and Section 12(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 1993, arguing that these provisions conflict with the federal structure. They have also demanded the cancellation of a new regulation introduced by Gandaki Province in 2025 BS (1968 AD), which allows the operation of private vehicles with red license plates.
Other demands include immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive on renewing the registration and property rights of associations under the Association Registration Act, 1977, and the enforcement of past agreements and task force recommendations regarding amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act.
The committee also called for the creation of a mandatory social security fund for public transport workers and stricter enforcement of load capacity rules under the 2017 Carrying Capacity Regulation Directive for both domestic and foreign freight vehicles.
Additionally, the entrepreneurs are demanding amendments to the 2016 Motor Insurance Tariff Directive to establish an accident relief fund, and revision of what they call a discriminatory policy granting a 72-hour customs clearance facility to foreign freight and passenger vehicles entering Nepal.
Committee Coordinator Bijay Kumar Swar said transport entrepreneurs would submit a memorandum to the chief ministers of all seven provinces on May 28. He stressed that despite holding discussions and reaching agreements with the government over the past decade, authorities have failed to take their concerns seriously.
