Gandaki Province Introduces Ride-Sharing Regulations, 5 Companies Apply

Pokhara. Ride-sharing companies have started registering in Gandaki. So far, 5 companies have submitted applications for registration at the Transport Management Office, Kaski. The Gandaki government has legalized ride-sharing and self-drive services for the first time in the country to regulate two- and four-wheeled vehicles operating without registration for a long time and to provide convenience to passengers. According to the office, Sajilo Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Sawari Sewa Nepal, Ecomo Nepal, Gems Green Electro Mobility Service, and Move in Nepal Pvt. Ltd. have applied for registration. Among them, 'Sawari Sewa Nepal' has already received its registration certificate. Sawari Sewa Nepal has registered to provide services with 20 scooters. Others are also in the process of registration. "Companies that have been registered are in the process of registration. Some are preparing online apps, while others are collecting additional documents," said Office Chief Dhakaprasad Sharma, adding, "Others are also making contact, but have not officially joined the registration process." The provincial government had issued a notice for such companies to register by Shrawan 15. Sharma stated that companies and riders operating without registration will be prosecuted after Shrawan 15. "The company will be fined 1 lakh for the first time. If repeated, the penalty will be doubled," he said, "Two-wheeler riders will also have to pay a fine of 5,000 each time." Four-wheeler vehicle riders will have to pay a fine of 10,000. Ride-sharing services are managed in accordance with the Gandaki Province Transport and Traffic Management Act 2076, Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulations 2082, and Gandaki Province Economic Act 2083. According to the regulations, the registration fee for two-wheeled vehicles is 25,000 rupees. Similarly, the fee for four-wheeled vehicles is set at 50,000 rupees. Companies providing both services will have to pay a registration fee of 70,000 rupees. In addition, there is a separate vehicle registration fee. For two-wheelers, it is 2,500 per vehicle, and for four-wheelers, it is 10,000 per vehicle. The office has stated that a 50 percent discount on registration fees will be provided for vehicles already operating as public transport. The government had issued a notice on Ashadh 18, giving a 30-day deadline for company and vehicle registration. To obtain a license, companies must have at least 20 vehicles. For new companies, there is no limit on the number of two-wheeled vehicles, but for four-wheeled vehicles, a maximum of 300 vehicles per company can be registered. However, this limit will not apply if old taxis wish to join the ride-sharing app. Each rider will be allowed to work by registering with only one ride-sharing company at a time, and riders must ensure that the app system prevents them from driving for more than 12 hours a day. For passenger safety, a system has been put in place requiring passengers on two-wheeled vehicles to wear helmets. According to the office, passenger insurance, third-party insurance, and driver insurance are mandatory. Office Chief Sharma informed that the license will be issued only after a technical team inspects technical aspects of registered companies, app effectiveness, and data security on Nepali servers. A separate monitoring committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the ministry's secretary for supervision. The regulations stipulate that a joint team of the Transport Management Office, Traffic Police, and Nepal Police will regularly monitor this on the roads.