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2 years ago

Eid trips: Ride-sharers put on alert for road rage

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The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has directed ride-share companies to alert their listed motorbikers to casualties on highways during Eid trips.

The advisory comes following increased fatality in the country during the last Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

Sources say a meeting was held with BRTA chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder on Thursday to discuss the ride-sharing issue as Eid-ul-Azha is just right away.

The BRTA step was also linked with the incidents after Padma Bridge opened to traffic on June 26.

Hundreds of bikers from Dhaka and other areas rushed to the bridge area to offer 'pick-and-drop' service, resulting in the killing of two bikers.

"We have asked them to comply with the ride-sharing rules and regulations as they are allowed in the city," says Mr Mazumder.

He, however, says the companies have also expressed their concern over the latest situation as most of the bikers hardly use apps to deliver the service.

The motorcycles are now found at various traffic signals, lanes and by-lanes to get passengers personally to skip paying the ride-sharing companies.

The number of imported as well as locally produced bikes has been on the rise, causing a serious deterioration in the traffic situation in the city.

During the past Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, several hundred motorbikes were found making trips with home-bound passengers.

According to BRTA officials, ride-sharing companies tell the meeting about the problems they are facing and seek the BRTA's cooperation.

The BRTA, meanwhile, has held several meetings with law-enforcement agencies on the motorcycle issue.

Mr Mazumder says the BRTA has sought assistance from highway police, district administration and Dhaka police in increasing vigilance on motorcycles.

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