Ride-sharing apps have revolutionised the communication system in our country. However, the dream of comfortable travel within systematic management could not be achieved yet.
Issues including charging of extra fare, non-acceptance of digital payment, harassment of passengers and tendencies of offering offline rides of bikers due to high commission rates of these app-based services have brought the promising sector to a standstill in Bangladesh.
Ride-sharing app companies should
take more responsibilities and improve
their service so that both drivers
and riders are benefitted
Riders complain that after calling through the Uber app, many riders cancel the trip saying that they would not take payment through bKash. Sometimes they even prefer offline trips as rides are not available during peak hours and it’s easy to find riders waiting around the street corner.
Dhaka Ride-sharing Drivers’ Union said that 40 percent of the rider’s earning is spent on the maintenance of their bike. It becomes hard for them to survive if they have to pay 25 percent commission from the rest of the 60 percent earning. The fares fixed by the global ridesharing giant Uber are not practical in our country considering the traffic situation. It is not possible to conduct trips in a congested city like Dhaka with 25 percent commission.
Firstly, Uber, Pathao and other ride sharing app companies should make sure that the 25 percent commission should be cut off and drivers are protected so that they can provide better service. Ride-sharing app companies should take more responsibilities and improve their service so that both drivers and riders are benefitted. Drivers who cancel trips on the basis of bKash payment should be held accountable and charged for it so that they do not repeat it.
