By Our Reporter
Traffic police have again started harassing bikers working for ‘ride-sharing’ apps Tootle and Pathao, claiming that they are in operation 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 handed 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 complained that taxi drivers in the locality compelled police to book him. Earlier, they had threatened to vandalise his bike.
Tamang was working for Pathao for the past four months.
Chief of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Bhim Prasad Dhakal, said that anyone violating the law would be 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.
However, the public said that the two apps were very useful for them.
From office-goers to the priests are using the apps to reach their destinations.
The operators of the two apps have objected to the police move, terming that action against biker Tamang was wrong.
It is said that around 15,000 motorcycles and scooters are in operation in Kathmandu using the two apps. The services were introduced in the valley two years ago.
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