The Gandaki Province government has once again called on agitating transport entrepreneurs to engage in dialogue to find a solution to their ongoing protest.

Speaking at a press conference held today, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transport again called the transport entrepreneurs for talks. They have been protesting since Friday against the legalization of ride-sharing services.

The Ministry announced the formation of a five-member negotiation team, headed by the Ministry Secretary, to initiate talks with the protesting parties. However, the agitating transport entrepreneurs declined to attend the previously scheduled meeting on Wednesday.

Engineer Kamal Kumar Adhikari, Secretary of the Ministry and coordinator of the talks team, stated that the government is open to holding discussions with the transport entrepreneurs to address their concerns.

Public transport services have been disrupted across the province since May 30, following the call of eight transport-related organisations, including the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.

The protesters have put forth a 17-point demand, which includes the scrapping of the provision allowing private vehicles to transport passengers like public vehicles, the removal of the expiry limit for public vehicles, and the annulment of the ride-sharing policy, among others.