Uber lists more than 5,000 cars since resuming services in Dhaka

Uber announced on Wednesday that it has listed more than 5,000 cars on its platform to provide efficient, convenient and affordable transportation for riders, along with creating livelihood opportunities for its drivers after a lengthy lockdown, according to a press release.

Uber's listing drive follows a BRTA order which stipulates that ridesharing can only resume with listed vehicles. 

To comply with the directive, Uber has been raising awareness amongst the driver community to apply for enlistment certificates and also facilitating the application process on the BRTA portal, it adds. 

Uber resumed operations in Dhaka on 22nd June with its affordable UberX service, and just this week has restarted services across its Premier and Intercity categories.  

Ratul Ghosh, Head of Bangladesh and East India, Uber, said, "As our cities start to open up, we want to ensure safe and convenient transportation to Move Bangladesh Forward and help our communities on the path to recovery." 
 
Ratul continued. "We remain committed to working with the authorities to facilitate the listing process for our drivers so that they can start earning a livelihood on our platform as soon as possible, and are confident that our ridesharing services are best placed to provide the highest standards of safety and hygiene for riders and drivers in the new normal." 

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Uber has launched multiple new services for supporting the needs of its riders, which have also created earning opportunities for drivers, says the release. 

These include Uber Connect, the package delivery service, which enables customers to transport packages from the safety of their homes, and Uber Rentals, which allows riders to book affordable multi-hour, multi-stop options to travel in the 'new normal.' 

Over the past two weeks, Uber has also launched a comprehensive set of safety measures including an interactive Go Online Checklist for both riders and drivers, a mandatory mask policy for riders and drivers, industry first pre-trip mask verification selfies for drivers, an updated post-trip feedback mechanism and a cancellation policy. 

Aimed at building a new product experience during these challenging times, the new features have been formulated to help protect everyone, every time they use Uber. 

To ensure social distancing while travelling in an Uber, the company has also instituted new seat limits allowing only two riders in a car other than the driver, and advising riders to sit in the rear seat, reads the press statement.

Complementing these safety features are Uber's efforts to ramp up the distribution of safety supplies, such as masks, sanitisers, bar soaps, tissue paper, worth over Tk50 lakh, free of cost, to drivers. 

Just last month, Uber spearheaded the formation of a Transport Safety Alliance (TSA) to generate safety awareness amongst consumers, and to equip drivers with health and safety supplies, adds the statement. 

As the first ridesharing company to commence operations in Bangladesh in 2016, the safety alliance underscores Uber's unwavering commitment to serving riders and drivers in Dhaka which remains a key market for Uber.