Motax Pvt Ltd had applied at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) few months back proposing a business plan to operate taxi service with 200 motorcycles. [break]
“We rejected the proposal citing safety reason and keeping with the government´s decision not to register new taxis for the next ten years,” Anil Gurung, director of DoTM told myrepublica.com on Thursday.
Gurung said DoTM made the decision after receiving feed back from Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office that suggested the government to not grant permission to operate motorcycle taxis for safety reason. “Since it is entirely a new concept, we couldn´t grant the permission,” Gurung added.
The government had decided on 26th May 2000 not to register new taxis in the capital.
As it is entirely a new concept in Nepal, the CRO has registered the company under “other” modes of transport. The company has already been registered at the Company Registrar Office in Kathmandu last year.
The company has claimed that motorcycle taxi service has been successful in number of countries including France, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Cambodia and the UK as a reliable and relatively inexpensive means of transport.
The company has also claimed that it would offer motorcycle taxi services for a fare cheaper by one-third in comparison to the fare charged by existing four wheelers.
As per the business plan, the company had planned to invest Rs 50 million to run the company with 200 taxis in the first phase hiring college students as part time drivers in addition to other full time drivers.
A proposal forwarded by the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) to grant permission to operate three-wheeler taxis in the capital is under consideration in the cabinet. Rex All Terrain Vehicles Pvt Ltd --a Kathmandu-based company -- has sought government permission to import Chinese three-wheelers to run taxi services in the capital.
Separate license for professional drivers
Meanwhile, DoMT has proposed programs in coming budget for the introduction of separate vehicle licenses for professional and non-professional users keeping in view the rise in the number of road accidents.
“We have proposed strict licensing system for professionals,” said Gurung.
The DoTM has also proposed establishment of a Vehicle Fitness Center in Pokhara in addition to the one existing in the capital.
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