Kathmandu, November 24
Traffic police in Kathmandu have begun taking action against bikers working for ‘ride-sharing’ apps Tootle and Pathao, which the government claims are operating illegally.
In one of the first instances of action against such riders, the Metropolitan Police Circle in Swayambhu fined Bikas Tamang, who carried a ‘passanger’ using Pathao app.
Police hander over a chit to him for “operating the vehicle against its purpose.” He will be fined from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 for this offence.
Tamang complains that taxi drivers in the locality compelled police to book him. Earlier, they had threatened to vandalise his bike, he adds.
Tamang was working for Pathao for the past four months.
Chief of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Bhim Prasad Dhakal, says anyone violating the law gets punished. “If a truck carries passengers, it will be booked. We had been taking such action in the past also.”
Last week, the Department of Transport Management had issued a notice warning action against the two apps.
