Taxi-hailing app Uber has made its services available in Bangladesh to offer Dhaka commuters “safe, reliable and affordable rides”.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Uber India and South Asia President Amit Jain said their goal was to use technology to “make our cities more accessible” while “reducing congestion and pollution”.
“In line with the government’s vision of Digital Bangladesh, we are thrilled to be in Dhaka to harness technology for the benefit of riders, drivers and the city,” he added.
Since its founding just seven years ago, San Francisco-based Uber’s popularity has expanded rapidly, partly due to its low fare compared to traditional taxis.
It currently provides services in 537 cities in 74 countries.
Users will have to download the free app from Apple Store or Google Play and sign up using mobile number and e-mail.
You will simply need to tap the screen to hail a cab. The driver will pick you up in minutes. Simply pay in cash at the end of the ride.
Uber, as the company puts it, “seamlessly connects riders to drivers” and is a great way to get from Point A to B “safely, reliably and affordably”.
It claims over five million Uber trips happen each day on an average globally – Uber takes a cut of each fare. The costs are kept low as the company does neither directly employ drivers nor own the vehicles.
Despite its growing popularity, Uber has faced protests, sometimes violent, in countries like Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, South Africa, the US and UK.
The company has teamed up with Grameenphone in its Bangladesh venture.
GP Chief Marketing Officer Yasir Azman said the partnership would enable GP customers use Uber service in a “very convenient way”.
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said he was “very excited” to have Uber in Dhaka as part of “our efforts to build smart cities”.
Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/11/22/uber-launches-operation-dhaka/