Kathmandu, Jan. 18 -- The Department of Transport Management is introducing a new law on Nepali New Year 2076 (April 14, 2019) to govern and regulate ride-sharing services operating in Kathmandu, department's Spokesperson Gokarna Upadhyay said on Thursday.

A government crackdown on ride-sharing platforms like Tootle and Pathao this week met with severe criticism, with many saying they were providing convenient transport services in Kathmandu where public transport systems is in a sorry state. The government agencies had reasoned that the ride-sharing platforms were using private motorbikes to ferry people, which a 26-year-old law does not allow.

There were also calls from many to amend the law as per changing times. Issues related to pa...