Transport entrepreneurs in Gandaki launch Nepali ride-sharing App amid regulatory uncertainty

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, Sept. 24: Following the release of the ride-sharing guidelines by the Gandaki Province government last June, local transport operators have responded by launching their own ride-sharing application. The app, named “Move In”, has been developed with investment from transport entrepreneurs and transport companies.

Currently, only taxis operating on a fare basis are eligible to register on the platform. The app was officially unveiled at an event on Tuesday. 

Estimated to have cost around Rs. 30 million, 'Move In' aims to operate nationwide. Pramesh Parajuli, Chief Executive Officer of Move In Nepal, expressed optimism that the app would help modernise and enhance transparency in public transportation.

CEO Parajuli said, “In the initial phase, we will not charge any commission from drivers. In the future, a significant portion of the profits will also be reinvested in the welfare of the operators.” Shobhakanta Paudel, Chairman of Pokhara Taxi Service Pvt. Ltd., claimed that the app, developed under the company’s leadership, will transform public perception of taxi services.

Of the roughly 2,100 taxis operating in Pokhara, more than 1,000 have already registered with Move In. “We have initially started with taxis under the Pokhara Taxi Service Pvt. Ltd.,” Paudel said. “Other taxi operators are expected to join, and we aim to develop Nepal’s premier ride-sharing platform fully owned by Nepali investors.”

Currently, the app only allows taxis operating on fare-based routes to register, but Paudel noted that once the provincial government implements the ride-sharing guidelines, registration will expand to include a wider range of vehicles. The app, available in both Nepali and English, is free to register for now, and the company has confirmed that no commission will be charged initially. Paudel added, “Once the government enacts the law, two-wheelers and other vehicles will also be incorporated.”

The implementation of the ride-sharing (Regulation and Management) guidelines, which had been suspended following protests by transport operators on instructions from the federal government, has yet to begin. The provincial government had designed the rules to allow vehicles with red license plates and two-wheelers to participate in ride-sharing. The guidelines previously sparked transport strikes throughout Dashain.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport has stated that implementation will commence soon. Information Officer Prem Subedi confirmed that the ministry is preparing to roll out the guidelines after holding consultations with transport operators and making minor revisions. 

Subedi said, “The guidelines have already been issued. The ministry temporarily suspended their implementation, but we are now preparing to enforce them.”

At present, ride-sharing operates in Pokhara without legal recognition. Since the app currently does not allow private vehicles to register, it functions solely as a taxi service platform rather than a full-fledged ride-sharing service.