Kathmandu, where are you now?

With the various speculations going on recently about our new favorite apps and local transportation; Tootle and Pathao, we all have our opinions. Tootle and Pathao is everyone’s favorite, because everyone who has used it has understood it. For whoever hasn’t…lets break it down.

Tootle and Pathao are apps created by IT companies that make travelling around for work or play, easier by just tapping on your smartphone screen to call a ride (motorbike or scooter) to take you to your destination. The two-wheeler follows the location you have entered on the map in the app and arrives at your doorstep to pick you up and drops you off at your destination as required. It’s pretty simple right? And the best part is that as a customer, you pay less than half the price you would pay for a taxi, and there is literally no arguing about the pricing with the rider as you just agreed on the price before you confirmed your booking. The hassle of arguing with stuck-up and egocentric taxi drivers is over or having to cramp up in a micro van/tampo, with maniac drivers.

For a rider, you need to register a two-wheeler, give a copy of your driving license and for Pathao, take a crash course of how to ride safely. Now, you are a riding partner. Of course there is no insurance however Tootle does cover the damages if an accident occurs after the story has been cleared by all parties.

With the basics over with, and the convenience learnt about, why is it illegal all of a sudden? Remember the stuck-up and egocentric taxi drivers? They have an association, an association that needs hellva of change in policies, in moral values and business strategies; they complained. I understand that taxi drivers are just trying to make a living; they are trying to put food on the table, educate their children and support their families. I have used plenty of taxis, personally, I have had arguments with some of the drivers blaming me for traffic jams, yes apparently they are my fault if anyone didn’t know. I have also had a lot of them ask me about my personal life, where I live, if I am married. And then my favorite, price haggling; the meter is never working, I just can’t seem to get the price right as my mother pays half the price to the same destination as I do. I have even had money thrown at me by a taxi driver for giving him the exact amount. However, you also find some lovely gentlemen who ask you for your destination, put on the meter, maybe have a nice chat without any invasion to your privacy or share a story, drop you off and you are left with a little joy in your heart that you just tip him a bit more than required. Unfortunately, they are rare and they are precious gems.

This isn’t just my story; it’s every single person’s story that has ever taken a taxi. Taxis are important; they are used by various people, every minute of the day, in front of hospitals, in front of offices, in front of homes, for traveling with older people and with little ones. It’s definitely safer than any two wheelers; however, it is a difficult process. This war between the taxis, tootle and pathao, needs to be put to rest and they need to co-exist. People need and want both of these services; they have become a part of our necessities; for our movement. They should and need to move forward together.

Tootle and Pathao have also created jobs just like the Taxi Association! Oh my! Look at that, same same but definitely not different! Most people have bikes/scooters, it’s easy and convenient to travel around into small gallies and zoom past traffic. People riding these bikes/scooters have been given a platform to earn money, to contribute to their families or to just to have that extra allowance. Giving people with/without education to move forward, people who are unable to get a job in a country without a connection and most likely earn more than a doctor in Nepal. Ah! Our priorities in Nepal, thank you GON for your clear outlook!

Ok, we get it, the IT companies are dicks, and they only covered their asses and not their riders’ who are actually making them money. That’s a dick move dudes! You could have done better for a bunch of creative people sitting on your ass making money through people working their asses off. Wait, are you guys the government? Oh shit! Did that hit a nerve? Because it fucking should!

You should have known better than to put people in such a difficult spot, or did it never occur to you that this situation was an actual possibility? Also, what happened to altering your riders of the situation? Updates on knowing what is going on and how to move forward together?

Costumers supporting Tootle and Pathao, have we looked at all sides of the story yet? Or are we just blindly following the trends? Are we really letting people sitting in comfortable chairs in front of computers dictate that supporting them is right and the other party is wrong? Maybe making a change could start with collaboration, a belief we can do better together. Change for a better now and a tremendous tomorrow.

Or estai ho Nepal? K garne?

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Words: Buzz