KATHMANDU, Feb 18: The Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has submitted detailed suggestions regarding the “National Standards for Vehicles Used as Taxis 2081 BS” to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT).
In its submission, NAIMA highlighted practical and policy-related concerns in the current implementation of the standards. According to the NAIMA, the national standards categorize taxi services into three classes: ordinary, special, and specific. The standards clearly define technical, safety, and service specifications, and any vehicle meeting these criteria is eligible to operate as a taxi, the NAIMA stated.
Taxi service now available from Bhojpur to Dharan
However, NAIMA pointed out that in practice, only sedan-type vehicles are currently permitted for taxi service in Bagmati Province. The NAIMA emphasized that the standards allow other vehicles meeting the technical, safety, and service requirements to also operate as taxis. Limiting service to sedans reduces flexibility, passenger convenience, luggage capacity, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and options based on passenger group size.
The submission also cited examples from other countries, where taxi services operate with vehicles of various sizes and classes. NAIMA noted that in Nepal, particularly in Bagmati Province, such variety is limited, creating practical inconsistencies compared to other cities where different vehicle classes are permitted.
NAIMA recommended that vehicles meeting all technical, safety, and service specifications under the ordinary, special, and specific categories should be allowed to operate as taxis. This, the association said, would ensure fairness, equality, and service expansion while providing operators with greater flexibility to meet passenger needs.
The NAIMA reaffirmed its respect for the ministry’s policy framework and stated that its recommendations are based on industry experience, practical needs, and the goal of improving service quality. NAIMA also expressed its commitment to continue collaborating with the MoPIT to promote safe, high-quality, and passenger-friendly taxi services.
