It could soon be possible for privately owned (red number plates) motorbikes, scooters, and taxis to provide ride-sharing service in Gandaki Province which includes cities such as Pokhara. The development could mark the beginning of a full-fledged ride-hailing service in Gandaki and inspire the other provincial governments to follow suit.
This comes after the Council of Ministers assented to the Vehicles and Transport Management Law 2080 allowing the registration of ride-sharing services for their commercial operation. This will require criteria in the first place though. The proposal was tabled by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management to the cabinet.
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Private taxis and bikes can provide ride-sharing service in Pokhara
The Law’s Section 13 states that privately owned two-wheelers and four-wheelers can legally provide ride-sharing (also called ride-hailing) services conforming to the law. The ministry’s spokesman Tikaram Paudel said that the homework has already started to allow certified private vehicles to offer ride-sharing service for commuters. In sum, private taxis and bikes will be able to legally provide ride-sharing services in Pokhara and other cities inside Gandaki Province.
“Since the regulations have opened the legal way to regulate and legalize ride-sharing, they are going to prepare the criteria”, Paudel said, “based on the criteria, two-wheelers, and private vehicles will be able to be registered in ride-sharing after going through the process.”
The Regulation mentions that private vehicle owners must register at the Transport Management Office under the Provincial Government for ride-sharing.
Earlier, the Bagmati Province government had prepared a working procedure to legalize ride-sharing services. Additionally, the federal government has recognized ride-sharing as an industry. It seems this technology-backed modern transport solution is finally getting approval from the government. The latest developments indicate that.
Ride-sharing registration fee in Gandaki Province
For registration to provide ride-sharing service inside Gandaki Province, two-wheelers need to pay Rs 25,000 and Rs 12,000 has been set for annual renewal. Likewise, for four-wheelers such as taxis, ride-sharing registration and renewal costs have been fixed at Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively. For obtaining a license, two-wheeler motorbikes scooters, and taxis will need to pay Rs 70,000 and Rs 35,000 for annual license renewal.
The of legalizing ride-sharing services in Gandaki Province has been devised after the government found it hard to nullify taxis’ uncontrolled charging on passengers. Despite multiple agreements and stringent measures, taxi drivers have been found to charge their customers unreasonably which has drawn criticism from the concerned authorities and the government. Making ride-sharing legal and allowing even private vehicles to conduct the service is expected to address many of the issues.
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In addition, ride-sharing services are user-friendly too. It basically requires a smartphone, internet, and a mobile app to book a ride. In fact, this has already been a mainstream mode of transport in Pokhara and other cities inside Gandaki Province, it was being run under shadows. The government has paved the way for its legal way to operate.
This could unleash employment for many students and others who seek to cash in on the chance to earn a few extra out of ride-sharing. Ride-sharing apps such as InDrive are already popular in Pokhara while the regulation and legalization could inspire a thrust of many others to enter the provincial market.
Are you delighted that the Gandaki Province is allowing private vehicles to provide ride-sharing service? Do share your reactions in the comments below.