Ride-sharing Mobile Apps Services: A revolution in Public Transportation

E-hailing service has been very popular globally for over seven years. In Bangladesh Ride-sharing services becomes popular on last two years. This services have gained popularity among the urban commuters mainly in Dhaka and Chittagong City area. The services are car rides, motorcycle rides and some offering both. The service operates on a simple principal. When in need of a ride, a person can send a pick-up request through the ride sharing smartphone app, and then meet with the rider at a designated point. The rider then drops the passenger to his or her destination. The fare is fixed, and is calculated by the app based on the starting point and the destination.

In 2016, ride-hailing tech companies stormed the Bangladeshi market and starts services in only Dhaka. In November 2016, Uber, the San Francisco-based ride-sharing tech giant has launch the dysfunctional public transportation system and taxi service in Dhaka. In a matter of just a year, the company has not only gained immense popularity but has also paved the way for several local tech initiatives to arrive in the market. But now there are more than ten companies are now providing this ridesharing services in Dhaka as Uber, Pathao, Chalo, Muv, Dhaka Moto, Bahon, Amar Bike, Amar Ride, Taxiwala, Dako, Ezzyr, Goti and Hellow Ride, all of whom have created a booming e-hailing market. In considering the women passengers some services is launch only for women as Obon, Lily, Pink SAM etc.

Typically one car is used by one family now that same car can be shared by others, meaning lesser cars on roads. This will definitely help improve traffic conditions. These ride-hailing services make our cities more accessible and pollution free. Ride sharing services mainly the motorbikes can offer fast movement through the city area, which is not possible for CNG-run auto rickshaws and cars. But there are some scope on increasing the services of e-hailing services as improve the quality of cars/bikes; monitor the quality of car/bikes in periodically; give the leadership training to vehicle drivers; promote to abide traffic laws; follow the Ride-sharing Service Guidelines, 2017; have to wifi facility in cars; have to drinkable water facility, available vehicle for women and kids passenger; have to special privileges for person with disabilities PWDs; online payment system as billing system; the apps should have Bangla version; have option on use the app in offline mood; have to increase the services area as out of city and entire Bangladesh, increasing the number of vehicles, reduces the fare cost and take minimal charges of ride-sharing agency from drivers.

Finally, this services brings comfort to commuter and escaped from the monopoly of Auto-rickshaws, public transport (bus) and brings a revolution in Public Transport. This service is also supplement the government vision Digital Bangladesh.