Pathao Backs Fair Rider Earnings, Calls for Common Fare Rules

Pathao Nepal has said it supports riders’ demand for fair and sustainable earnings, including concerns over fare rates and per-kilometre income. The company said it has taken the issue seriously following discussions between ride-sharing stakeholders and the government.

Pathao said it has already reduced its commission burden on bike rides by replacing a commission of up to 20 percent with a fixed Rs 12 platform fee, which is included in the customer’s fare rather than deducted from riders’ earnings. The company also highlighted rider-focused benefits such as insurance, 24/7 support, accident assistance, fuel support, free bike servicing, mobile data and education assistance.

Regarding riders’ demand for a minimum fare of Rs 25 per kilometre, Pathao said it agrees with the principle of ensuring fair income but noted that its current fare system is based on a base fare, per-kilometre fare and per-minute fare rather than a flat Rs 25-per-kilometre structure. It said the effective average fare for typical rides is already around Rs 25 per kilometre.

Pathao has called for the government to establish clear minimum and maximum fare limits and common industry standards covering fares, insurance, safety, emergency response and grievance handling. The company said it is ready to revise its fare structure if a common system is agreed upon by the government, riders and all ride-sharing platforms.