The ride-sharing companies in the country are apparently in a crisis over recommencing their operation, as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) remains strict to its decision in this regard. The regulatory body earlier asked the companies to enlist all their vehicles with it before recommencing their service.
Meanwhile, many freelance ride-sharing drivers are taking advantage of the stalemate, and carrying passengers across the city on contract basis.
Recently, the ride-sharing companies, in a joint move, urged the BRTA to allow them to operate service, like public transports, in the pandemic situation.
The BRTA, however, maintained its strict stance, asking the ride-sharing companies to enlist all their vehicles with the agency to resume service, said top officials of the companies, who got the BRTA reply.
The BRTA termed the ride-sharing companies' mechanism of not enlisting all their vehicles with it 'unethical', as the enlistment is a must for the companies.
According to the BRTA, there are over 120,000 vehicles registered with some 12 ride-sharing companies. But only a handful number of these vehicles, about 1,300, have been enlisted so far.
Meanwhile, the FE correspondent has seen hundreds of bikes and cars offering ride-sharing service across the city on contract basis, thus depriving their respective companies from revenue, and putting the sector in chaos.
The offline drivers are charging hiked fares from service-seekers in a syndicated way, alleged customers.
It was seen in recent visits to the city's Gulshan-1, Mohakhali, Badda and Tejgoan areas that bikers are waiting near bus stoppages. They are offering trips to commuters, although the BRTA has not given permission to operate ride-sharing service.
When asked, several drivers, requesting not to be named, told the FE that they are now operating ride-sharing service on freelance basis, as it is yet to be resumed officially.
But, in such a condition, both the passengers and drivers are putting their life and service in danger, opined officials of the online ride-sharing companies and the BRTA.
Nidal Mohammed Alam, operation lead of Shohoz Ride, told the FE that they are working to meet the regulatory body's requirements after getting its letter.
"Lockdown and some technical issues have slowed down the process of enlisting our ride-sharing vehicles with the BRTA. But, we are working on the issue to meet the legal bindings."
"We are all ready to cooperate with the BRTA to recommence our services, and are seeking help to put an end to the present offline ride-sharing that is actually depriving us of revenue."
He suggested forming a team, consisting officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the BRTA and the companies, to work in this end.
"Ride-sharing service could help people maintain social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as mostly single passengers use the service.
"We have taken a number of health safety measures, so that we can provide best service, once we're allowed to resume operation," he added.
Osman Saleh, an official at Pathao Ride, told the FE: "Offline ride-sharing is not under our jurisdiction. So, we cannot take any action against the freelance service providers. They do not come under any official service and insurance, provided by the company."
Terming the offline ride-sharing unsafe, he suggested taking actions against it, seeking cooperation from the authority concerned. He also emphasised joint move in this regard.
Mahbub-E-Rabbani, director of the BRTA (road safety), told the FE that they replied to the ride-sharing companies' application to recommence their service.
"The issue is all about enlisting their vehicles with the BRTA according to the government's instructions in this regard. The companies are yet to meet the requirements, which are must for providing the service."
"The companies are operating over 0.1 million vehicles without fulfilling the legal bindings. They are doing an unethical job by not enlisting all their vehicles with the regulatory body, and also cheating customers."
Terming the offline ride-sharing illegal, he put the main responsibility of checking such practice on the companies concerned.
He suggested the companies to maintain surveillance against such illegal practice, and terminate contract with the drivers involved with it.
"We will allow ride-sharing operation shortly after the companies meet the legal requirement to this end."
He also opined that proper social distancing cannot be maintained in ride-sharing through motorbike.
