Nepal, March 7 -- When Simal Rai returned the gold jewellery and cash he had found in the backseat of his taxi, he made headlines across the country. The 44-year-old taxi driver, who migrated to Kathmandu from Dharan three years ago, was all over social media, and on television giving interviews as he was hailed for his honesty.

But Rai says life for Kathmandu's taxi drivers isn't joyous on most days. If anything, most drivers say it is hard to make a living on income from taxis these days.

"Passengers who understand our situation tip us a little and that is how we sustain ourselves and run our taxis. The meter is killing us," Rai said.

The most common complaint among taxi passengers in Kathmandu is taxi drivers' refusal to go to their...