Uber launches shared rides in Dhaka amid security concern

Amid security concern multinational ridesharing company Uber, which is yet to get government permission to operate in Bangladesh, has launched ‘UberPOOL’ in Dhaka that allows riders to join, or ‘pool’ with other riders with similar routes in the same Uber vehicle and share the cost of the trip.

Shared rides such as UberPOOL are all about getting more people into fewer cars, the company said in a statement issued yesterday. It means cheaper rides for passengers, longer, more-rewarding trips for drivers, and less congestion for cities over time, the statement added.

The trip fare on UberPOOL can be up to 40 per cent lower than that of the UberX fare for the same distance, the statement also said.

The ridesharing company launched the new service to coincide with its three years of operation in Bangladesh. Apart from multinational Uber there are other local companies in Bangladesh, who are yet to obtain formal permission from the Bangladesh regulator, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Security concern

Urban experts think UberPOOL is cost effective, but it involves many security concerns in a country like Bangladesh where many untoward incidents happen in public transport, reported news service provider UNB yesterday.

“Pool system is there in many countries where adequate safety measures are ensured. I think it won’t be wise for Uber to launch the service before proper experiments. They can first allow it during the day time on a limited scale, but not at night in any away,” said urban expert Professor Nazrul Islam.

He also said mixed ride --male and female together-- should not be allowed at the initial stage as the sexual harassment is still a big concern in public transport here. “People should be familiar with the service and aware of its safety issues before initiating the service in full swing.”

Meanwhile, international news service provider AFP on Monday reported London’s transport regulator, Transport for London (TfL), has refused to grant Uber a new licence to operate in London.

The regulator said the taxi app was not “fit and proper” as a licence holder, despite having made a number of positive changes to its operations.

TfL said it had identified a "pattern of failures" that placed passenger safety and security at risk.

These included a change to Uber's systems which allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photos to other Uber driver accounts, reported AFP.

It meant there were at least 14,000 fraudulent trips in London in late 2018 and early 2019, TfL said.

The regulator also found dismissed or suspended drivers had been able to create Uber accounts and carry passengers.

Uber initially lost its licence in 2017 but was granted two extensions, the most recent of which expired on Sunday. About 45,000 drivers work for Uber in London, which is one of its top five markets globally.

Uber launches shared rides in Dhaka amid security concern

Amid security concern multinational ridesharing company Uber, which is yet to get government permission to operate in Bangladesh, has launched UberPOOL in Dhaka that allows riders to join, or pool with other riders with similar routes in the same Uber vehicle and share the cost of the trip. Shared rides such as UberPOOL are all about getting more people into fewer cars, the company said in a statement issued yesterday. It means cheaper rides for passengers, longer, more-rewarding trips for drivers, and less congestion for cities over time, the statement added. The trip fare on UberPOOL can be up to 40 per cent lower than that of the UberX fare for the same distance, the statement also said. The ridesharing company launched the new service to coincide with its three years of operation in Bangladesh. Apart from multinational Uber there are other local companies in Bangladesh, who are yet to obtain formal permission from the Bangladesh regulator, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). Security concern Urban experts think UberPOOL is cost effective, but it involves many security concerns in a country like Bangladesh where many untoward incidents happen in public transport, reported news service provider UNB yesterday. Pool system is there in many countries where adequate safety measures are ensured. I think it wont be wise for Uber to launch the service before proper experiments. They can first allow it during the day time on a limited scale, but not at night in any away, said urban expert Professor Nazrul Islam. He also said mixed ride --male and female together-- should not be allowed at the initial stage as the sexual harassment is still a big concern in public transport here. People should be familiar with the service and aware of its safety issues before initiating the service in full swing. Meanwhile, international news service provider AFP on Monday reported Londons transport regulator, Transport for London (TfL), has refused to grant Uber a new licence to operate in London. The regulator said the taxi app was not fit and proper as a licence holder, despite having made a number of positive changes to its operations. TfL said it had identified a pattern of failures that placed passenger safety and security at risk. These included a change to Ubers systems which allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photos to other Uber driver accounts, reported AFP. It meant there were at least 14,000 fraudulent trips in London in late 2018 and early 2019, TfL said. The regulator also found dismissed or suspended drivers had been able to create Uber accounts and carry passengers. Uber initially lost its licence in 2017 but was granted two extensions, the most recent of which expired on Sunday. About 45,000 drivers work for Uber in London, which is one of its top five markets globally.