Nepal’s leading ride-sharing service platform Pathao has announced its major expansion plan that includes 17 cities including Pokhara, Damak, Biratnagar, etc. The company is now hiring riders from those cities to ensure a swift service launch.
Sharing the decision to expand the Pathao ride-sharing/hailing services beyond Kathmandu and Chitwan, the company’s Managing Director Asheem Mangh Singh Basnyat said that the platform will soon be available in 17 major cities. As part of this plan, Pathao has chosen to extend its services to various cities in 5 provinces.
Pathao had earlier expanded its service to Chitwan for the first time the platform set out beyond the capital. Now, the company is tapping into a larger market.
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Pathao expansion in 17 cities
According to Pathao, it will extend the ride-sharing service to nine cities in Koshi Province. They are Biratnagar, Damak, Urlabari, Biratchok, Itahari, Inaruwa, Dharan, Birtamod, and Bhadrapur. Likewise, it’s also bringing its popular ride-hailing service to Birgunj and Janakpur in Madhesh Province.
The other cities include Hetauda (Bagmati Province), Butwal, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa (Lumbini), Pokhara (Gandaki), and Dhangadi (Sudurpashchim Province). The company is planning on further extending its services to more cities in the future.
In addition to the regular ride-sharing, Pathao will launch an inter-city ride service for its customers in the new cities which shall enable people to reach a nearby city from their current place.
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Pathao begins registration of motorbike riders for 17 cities
In preparation for its service, Pathao has kickstarted registration for motorbike riders in 17 cities. Interested individuals can apply with their renewed license, bill book, and insurance papers. After the paperwork, they will be provided with training online. Basnyat said that applicants can also contact at 01-5970099. To facilitate the application process, the Pathao Drive app will be useful for the applicants.
A market disruption ahead?
With its latest expansion to 17 cities across Nepal, Pathao could upset the market. Currently, most cities have inDrive and other apps for ride-sharing. But a major player like Pathao coming with its resources will likely make its presence bold and heavy. While inDrive is already a mainstream platform too, it’s not yet registered and regularly faces scrutiny. But this could also be a silver lining to the market as a whole.
The more ride-sharing platforms, the better competitiveness which could equate to a more affordable service for the commuters. Let’s see how Pathao’s expansion lives up in the market. Whether it will cause a market disruption or go normal, only time will tell.
Pathao is Nepal’s pioneering ride-sharing service with over 2.15 lakh riders. Besides ride-hailing, the company provides food delivery, parcel delivery, etc. The Pathao app is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
by the way, is Pathao coming to your city? How do you feel about it or its lack of? Do share with us in the comments below.
