First ride-sharing approval in Gandaki
Gandaki Province has issued its first permit for ride-sharing operations to Sवारी सेवा Nepal Pvt. Ltd., opening formal app-based passenger transport in the province. The company says it is preparing to start the service from Pokhara within this week.[source]
According to the company’s chair, Rajan Kumar Shrestha, the initial rollout will use 20 vehicles as required at the time of company registration, and about 200 riders have already joined the platform.[source] Sवारी सेवा Nepal has developed separate apps for riders and passengers, and it plans to expand the service to Kathmandu later.[source]
What the permit means
The approval comes under the Gandaki Province Transport Management Act, 2076, the Gandaki Province Ride-Sharing Regulations, 2082, and the Gandaki Province Financial Act, 2083.[source] Under the announced fee structure, the operating permit costs Rs 25,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 50,000 for four-wheelers, and Rs 70,000 for both services together.[source]
Registration fees per vehicle are set at Rs 2,500 for a two-wheeler and Rs 10,000 for a four-wheeler.[source]
Other companies in line
Kaski district officials said five companies had applied for registration so far: Sajilo Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Sवारी सेवा Nepal Ltd., Ecomo Nepal Pvt. Ltd., James Green Electro Mobility Service Pvt. Ltd., and Move In Nepal Pvt. Ltd..[source] No company has applied yet for self-drive car rental services.[source]
For Nepali vehicle buyers and users, the key point is that Gandaki has now moved from policy to actual permits on ride-sharing. Pokhara is set to become the first city where the service operates under the new provincial framework.[source]
Written and analysed by Ajit Narayan Singh, Editor at Nepal AutoMart, from ongoing tracking of the Nepal automotive market.
