Despite an agreement between the federal government and public transport entrepreneurs to suspend the controversial ride-hailing regulations, the Gandaki provincial government says it will respond only after receiving formal communication from the centre.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport in Gandaki has clarified that it has yet to receive any official letter or directive regarding the suspension of rules.

Gandaki’s Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Hira Kaji Gurung, said on Tuesday, “We have heard about the agreement through media reports and public discussions, but no formal letter has reached us yet. Once we receive official communication, we will take an appropriate stance.”

Last night, the federal ministry and representatives of the transport entrepreneurs reached a consensus to pause the implementation of the ride-sharing regulations. This followed protests by transport entrepreneurs who opposed the government’s move to allow private vehicles with red number plates to operate as commercial public transport vehicles using ride-hailing apps.

The federal ministry agreed to send a formal letter to the Gandaki provincial government requesting a temporary halt to enforcing the new rules, pending further consultations. The provincial government said it awaits that letter before making any decisions or policy changes.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs has declared that it will continue to press for the suspension of the ride-hailing regulations and maintain the nationwide transport strike until the provincial government formally suspends the rules. Vijay Bahadur Swar, the federation’s president, said, “We will call off the strike only after the province officially announces the suspension of these regulations and allows our vehicles to operate without restrictions.”

The Gandaki province government recently implemented a regulation to legalise ride-hailing under a legal framework. Officials say the goal is to ensure the safety, insurance, and rights of service users while also enabling the government to collect taxes.

The Gandaki provincial government introduced the ride-hailing regulation-2025 on May 15 while Bagmati province is reviewing a draft regulation to bring the services under provincial oversight and taxation.

The move follows multiple directives from the Supreme Court urging the federal and provincial authorities to regulate ride-hailing and self-driving services. Immediately after the new regulations were published in the provincial gazette, the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs launched protests demanding that the rules be repealed.

Transport entrepreneurs particularly object to the provision allowing vehicles registered for private use to operate for hire or carry passengers. They claim that the rules introduced by the Gandaki provincial government violate the Federal Act, as Section 8 of the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act 1993 (Amended in 2018).

The provision defines a private motor vehicle as one that has the certificate of registration for private use. Section 8(2) states that no private motor vehicle shall be used for public transport.

Therefore, they argue, the provincial rules should be annulled.