A nationwide strike launched by public transport unions in protest of the Gandaki Province Government’s newly introduced ride-hailing guidelines has affected the lives of people across the country.
Ironically, many daily commuters in the Kathmandu Valley have been forced to rely on the very ride-hailing services at the center of the controversy.
From early Monday morning, scenes of confusion and frustration unfolded across the country. Commuters at several places in the Valley were seen negotiating fares with ride-hailing drivers, as reports emerged of inflated prices and unauthorized offline fare bargaining. Many users claimed that app-based fares had surged, while some drivers allegedly switched off their apps to charge arbitrarily high rates.
Nepal Police responded to the complaints via social media, confirming it had received multiple reports of fare manipulation. Authorities have urged ride-hailing drivers to refrain from such practices and advised the public to report any incidents to the nearest traffic police office or via the helpline number 103.
The strike stems from strong opposition to the Gandaki Province Government’s ride-hailing policy, which public transport entrepreneurs and workers argue poses a serious threat to their livelihoods. They contend the policy undermines years of investment in the traditional public transportation sector.
Seven major transport-related organizations have joined forces under the banner of the “Public Transport Protection Central Struggle Committee”, leading the protest movement. In a joint press statement issued on Sunday, June 1, the committee announced the complete suspension of services by all public transport vehicles affiliated with the signatory organizations, starting Monday.
The protesting bodies argue that the ride-hailing policy is not only legally questionable but also unconstitutional. They warn that the implementation of such a policy could dismantle the structured public transport network, potentially inflicting irreversible damage on the sector and those who have invested in it.
The statement further accused provincial authorities of ignoring repeated appeals and formal memorandums submitted by transport entrepreneurs over the past months. It expressed disappointment over the government's continued inaction and lack of consultation with stakeholders.
Alongside the strike, the committee said Sunday that it has submitted a seven-point memorandum to the federal government, urging immediate intervention to halt the implementation of the policy and to address the concerns of the public transport community.
