Public transport halt cripples daily life in Gandaki Province

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, June 3: Commuters’ mobility has been severely disrupted across Gandaki Province as transport entrepreneurs and workers intensified their protest from Sunday even by halting operation of the tourist vehicles.

The agitating groups, who parked their public vehicles on Friday to initiate the strike, have now barred travelers from boarding tourist buses as well.

The demonstrators are demanding the immediate repeal of the newly enforced “Gandaki Province Vehicle and Transport Management Regulation 2025,” calling for clear government policies on public transport operations.

As the protest escalates, daily life has come to a standstill. Tourists and locals travelling short distances have been forced to walk, while long-distance passengers remain stranded. Although a few ride-sharing operators within Pokhara are providing limited services, they are far from adequate.

Transport entrepreneurs report that over 10,000 public vehicles, including buses, microbuses, and taxis, operate across the province. The protest, which began as a regional movement, expanded nationwide from Monday, further adding woes to commuters. 

Across several locations, passengers have been left stranded due to the suspension of services. Arun Sharma, stranded in Pokhara’s Prithvi Chok, expressed his frustration, “There are five of us here to tour Pokhara. With no vehicles operating, we are stuck. Why should we suffer for the government's dispute with transport operators?” They had arrived at the bus park on Sunday, hoping to catch a bus to Biratnagar.

Protesters are stationed at various points to prevent any public from plying on the road. On Sunday, 25 vehicles were escorted out of Pokhara by the police, three headed to Chitwan and 22 to Kathmandu, according to Senior Traffic Police Officer Kiran Ranabhat of the Kaski District Traffic Police Office.

Likewise, 500 stranded passengers were sent to Kathmandu and elsewhere in 17 buses with police escort on Monday. 

The regulations in question were approved by the Gandaki Province Cabinet meeting on May 13, 2025, introducing provisions that legalise ride-sharing services. The new policy allows private four-wheeled vehicles to carry passengers if they meet certain standards, including passenger insurance.

Under these provisions, ride-sharing companies can be formally registered after fulfilling specific criteria. The regulation stipulates a registration fee of Rs. 25,000 for two-wheelers, Rs. 50,000 for four-wheelers, and Rs. 70,000 for companies operating both. Operating a ride-sharing service without a license will result in legal action, and a separate monitoring committee led by the provincial secretary will be formed to oversee compliance.

Following the issuance of the regulation, Sajilo Pvt. Ltd. has already registered as a ride-sharing company. According to the Ministry’s Secretary Kamal Kumar Adhikari, the company will receive an operating permit once it meets all required standards.

Govt calls for dialogue

Despite calls for dialogue, transport operators stress that the strike will not end until the regulation is revoked. On the third day of the strike, Sunday, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management renewed its appeal for negotiations.

In a press conference held on Sunday, Secretary Adhikari urged the protesting parties to resolve the issue through dialogue. Although the Ministry formed a negotiation committee on May 27 and officially invited stakeholders for talks, the transport operators refused, maintaining their precondition that the regulation must be scrapped.

Secretary Adhikari, who also chairs the dialogue committee, clarified that the regulation would not be repealed, but discussions could be held on specific provisions and grievances. “The regulation is here to stay. However, we are open to discussions and adjustments based on the concerns raised by the transport operators,” he stated.

Kedar Prasad Paudel, coordinator of the Public Transport Protection Struggle Committee, insisted that they were not against dialogue or ride-sharing services. He emphasised the need for uniform standards across the sector. 

“We are all in the same business, why should ride-sharing be governed by different rules? Either let us use red number plates too, or ensure an equal level playing field,” he argued. Paudel warned that the government's move could destabilise the entire public transportation sector.