Contents

    2025 Nepal Public Transport Strike

    ← Back to article

    ✏️ Edit
    Nationwide public transport strike in Nepal on June 2, 2025, triggered massive disruption across Kathmandu and major cities as transport workers protested the government's red-plate ride-sharing vehicle policy. The strike was called in response to a policy introduced by the Gandaki Province government, which permits non-commercial (red-plate) vehicles to carry passengers.
    Transport operators have voiced strong opposition, citing threats to their livelihood and legal inconsistencies. As a result, passengers in major cities like Kathmandu were left stranded.

    ✏️ Edit

    Offline Riders Exploit Crisis

    During the shutdown, several offline ride-sharing riders reportedly charged passengers double or triple the normal fare, conducting informal deals outside of platforms like Pathao and InDrive. This behavior caused significant public frustration.
    ✏️ Edit

    Nepal Police Issues Public Notice

    The Nepal Police issued a public statement urging all riders to refrain from overcharging and requested citizens to report any misconduct to the traffic hotline 103. Free public buses were also deployed across Kathmandu to assist stranded commuters.
    ✏️ Edit

    Transport Workers’ Seven-Point Demand

    • Ban privately registered red-plate vehicles from operating like public transport.
    • Cancel 72-hour permits for foreign vehicles entering Nepal.
    • Make Social Security Fund registration mandatory for all transport workers.
    • Establish an empowered regulatory authority for the transport sector.
    • Implement Supreme Court orders on cooperative renewals and property returns.
    • Enforce previously agreed labor contracts.
    • Shift focus from fining goods vehicles to regulating legal weight limits.
    During the protest, photos and footage showed mass gatherings and halted vehicles in key junctions of Kathmandu, underscoring the scale of the movement.
    ✏️ Edit

    Wider Impact on Gandaki and Other Provinces

    The impact of the strike was particularly harsh in Gandaki Province, where the ride-sharing provision originated. Commuters across urban and rural districts were forced to walk or pay exorbitant fares for private travel. Citizens and civil society groups are urging the government to initiate dialogue with unions to resolve the crisis.
    ✏️ Edit

    Public Concern Over Ride-Sharing Regulation

    Many citizens and experts warn that unethical behavior by offline riders may damage the credibility of ride-sharing services altogether. If not addressed promptly, it could result in stricter government regulation or even blanket bans.