KATHMANDU: An agreement has been reached between the government and the protesting transport entrepreneurs late Monday night.

The agreement was signed after the third round of talks continued late into the night at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

Speaking to journalists following the agreement, Bijay Swar, President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, stated that the federal government has decided to request the Gandaki Province Government to suspend its ride-sharing regulations.

Swar stated that during the third round of talks held Monday night at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, a tentative agreement was reached.

According to him, if the federal government sends an official letter to the provincial government requesting suspension of the ride-sharing regulation introduced by Gandaki Province, then nationwide transport services will resume.

However, he clarified that the protest will continue unless and until Gandaki Province formally withdraws the regulation.

President Swar clarified that the protest will not fully end unless the Gandaki Province completely withdraws the regulations.

However, both federal and provincial governments have pledged to fast-track the legal procedures, and hence public transport is expected to resume by Tuesday afternoon.

Similarly, Krishna Raj Panta, coordinator of the government negotiation team and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, said an agreement has been reached to suspend the directive issued by the Gandaki Province that had granted red-plated vehicles (private vehicles) the same recognition as black-plated (public) ones.

He explained that since there is no federal law yet, the provinces have had to formulate laws as per their needs.

With a federal law (umbrella act) expected soon, such confusion and difficulties will be avoided.

Joint Secretary Panta stated that as per the agreement with the transport entrepreneurs, a decision has been made to request the suspension of the regulation’s implementation for now.

He added that all protest programs would be withdrawn once the Gandaki Province Government supports the agreement and decisions made with the Nepal Government.

Transport entrepreneurs had launched a nationwide strike by halting all public transport services in protest of the ride-sharing regulation introduced by Gandaki Province.

Following the introduction of this regulation, transport entrepreneurs submitted a seven-point demand and began protesting.

Now that the regulation has been suspended, public transport services are expected to resume nationwide.

Public transport had been halted in Gandaki Province for the past four days, and the strike was extended to the entire country starting Monday.