Economic Reporter :
With its hassle-free round-the-clock services, Uber, the world’s largest on-demand ride-sharing company, has brought some sort of relief to city commuters, mainly for the middle-class ones, within eight months of its launching.
Talking to the media, urban experts, city commuters and drivers who get registered with the company said apart from ensuring ‘door-to-door service’, Uber is bringing a cultural and behavioral change of both passengers and drivers as they respect each other and do not engage in bargain over fare or any short destination.
Besides, they said, Uber is ensuring the maximum use of personal vehicles registered with the company, and it will eventually help reign in the growing trend of buying personal vehicle.
The urban experts think the government should also now focus on strengthening cab services restoring discipline so that Uber cannot do a monopoly business for lack of its suitable competitors.
Uber, launched in Dhaka in November 2016, has received an overwhelming response in Bangladesh both from riders and drivers, said its spokesman.
Contacted through mail, the Uber spokesperson without mentioning name, said they think a sustainable earning opportunity is emerging for their driver-partners. “We’ve already seen a double digit increase in the number of riders and driver-partners benefitting from Uber while more people signing up every day.”
The spokesman, however, said they have no immediate plan to launch the service in any other city of the country.
Urban expert and former UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said Uber is giving the city commuters a wonderful service, even at midnight or at dawn.
“As I talked to some people who had used Uber, they appreciated the service saying it has brought some sort of relief for them in the case of their outing. The fare is also reasonable. The expansion of the service is necessary for making the city life more comfortable and hassle-free one,” he said.
In developed countries, the urban expert said taxies usually provide personal service to commuters. “But, in Dhaka city we do not have available taxis or auto-rickshaws. “So, the taxi service should be developed further with the expansion of Uber for ensuring better transpiration for city dwellers.”
Prof Sarwar Jahan of Buet’s Urban and Regional Planning (URP) department said Uber is providing the city commuters a wonderful door-to-door essential service to cut people’s dependence on rickshaws.
As Uber provides on-demand ride-sharing service, it is ensuring the best uses of the existing personal vehicles registered with the company.
Sarwar also echoed Prof Nazrul saying the government should allow more taxies and auto-rickshaws to gradually remove rickshaws from the city streets.
He said the government should have a strong monitoring so that Uber and other taxi services can serve commuters with proper security and good facilities.
Jahangir Alam, a Bangladesh expatriate living in Canada, said before coming home in July he had a plan to buy a car for using during his stay here. “After using Uber, I changed my mind as their service is available anytime. We need Tk 30,000-40,000 requires in maintaining a car. If I randomly use Uber, I’ll only cost me Tk 10,000 a month.”
He said the Uber authorities should give the drivers more training and guidelines so that they can properly follow Google map and do not ask their customers where they may go whenever they receive phone call for any trip.
Tasmin Sultana, a private university law student, said Uber has made the communication easier and safer for city commuters, mainly for women, as anyone can go anywhere anytime using the service.”
She said CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers are now changing their rude and reluctant attitude as people have got an alternative option — Uber. “Usually, auto drivers refuse to entertain a short trip and charge higher fare. Now they’ve started changing such an attitude.”
With its hassle-free round-the-clock services, Uber, the world’s largest on-demand ride-sharing company, has brought some sort of relief to city commuters, mainly for the middle-class ones, within eight months of its launching.
Talking to the media, urban experts, city commuters and drivers who get registered with the company said apart from ensuring ‘door-to-door service’, Uber is bringing a cultural and behavioral change of both passengers and drivers as they respect each other and do not engage in bargain over fare or any short destination.
Besides, they said, Uber is ensuring the maximum use of personal vehicles registered with the company, and it will eventually help reign in the growing trend of buying personal vehicle.
The urban experts think the government should also now focus on strengthening cab services restoring discipline so that Uber cannot do a monopoly business for lack of its suitable competitors.
Uber, launched in Dhaka in November 2016, has received an overwhelming response in Bangladesh both from riders and drivers, said its spokesman.
Contacted through mail, the Uber spokesperson without mentioning name, said they think a sustainable earning opportunity is emerging for their driver-partners. “We’ve already seen a double digit increase in the number of riders and driver-partners benefitting from Uber while more people signing up every day.”
The spokesman, however, said they have no immediate plan to launch the service in any other city of the country.
Urban expert and former UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said Uber is giving the city commuters a wonderful service, even at midnight or at dawn.
“As I talked to some people who had used Uber, they appreciated the service saying it has brought some sort of relief for them in the case of their outing. The fare is also reasonable. The expansion of the service is necessary for making the city life more comfortable and hassle-free one,” he said.
In developed countries, the urban expert said taxies usually provide personal service to commuters. “But, in Dhaka city we do not have available taxis or auto-rickshaws. “So, the taxi service should be developed further with the expansion of Uber for ensuring better transpiration for city dwellers.”
Prof Sarwar Jahan of Buet’s Urban and Regional Planning (URP) department said Uber is providing the city commuters a wonderful door-to-door essential service to cut people’s dependence on rickshaws.
As Uber provides on-demand ride-sharing service, it is ensuring the best uses of the existing personal vehicles registered with the company.
Sarwar also echoed Prof Nazrul saying the government should allow more taxies and auto-rickshaws to gradually remove rickshaws from the city streets.
He said the government should have a strong monitoring so that Uber and other taxi services can serve commuters with proper security and good facilities.
Jahangir Alam, a Bangladesh expatriate living in Canada, said before coming home in July he had a plan to buy a car for using during his stay here. “After using Uber, I changed my mind as their service is available anytime. We need Tk 30,000-40,000 requires in maintaining a car. If I randomly use Uber, I’ll only cost me Tk 10,000 a month.”
He said the Uber authorities should give the drivers more training and guidelines so that they can properly follow Google map and do not ask their customers where they may go whenever they receive phone call for any trip.
Tasmin Sultana, a private university law student, said Uber has made the communication easier and safer for city commuters, mainly for women, as anyone can go anywhere anytime using the service.”
She said CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers are now changing their rude and reluctant attitude as people have got an alternative option — Uber. “Usually, auto drivers refuse to entertain a short trip and charge higher fare. Now they’ve started changing such an attitude.”
