Uber, bKash partner to provide contactless payment facility for riders

Ride-hailing company Uber has announced a partnership with bkash, the top mobile financial service provider in the country to provide its Bangladeshi riders with contactless payment facility.

Under this agreement, the Uber riders now can pay for their trips by using their bKash wallets.

The long-awaited partnership aims to enhance rider experience and safety by making the payment process contactless, convenient and secure as riders resume travels after a lengthy lockdown, said a joint media statement on Monday.

The partnership will give millions of Bangladeshi riders the convenience of seamlessly taking Uber rides, without the inconvenience of carrying cash or worrying about exact change.

The bKash's digital payment option will take care of all transactions without any manual intervention once the bKash wallet is added as a payment method on the Uber app, the media statement said.  

This method will help users avoid transaction lag in case of poor network, gateway timeouts, or insufficient balance.

Serving approximately 45 million local users, bKash has been used daily to transfer money, pay for utilities and for other services. With the new partnership, bKash users will have instant access to Uber, and safe and reliable rides at the touch of a button.

The partnership with bKash is a first of its kind for Uber in Bangladesh and is a big step on its journey to increase digitised payments on its platform. It also demonstrates Uber's commitment to strengthen the digital financial ecosystem and help accelerate Digital Bangladesh- the government's vision of a smart, connected nation.

Commenting on the issue, Nandini Maheshwari, director, business development, Uber, APAC, said, "We applaud the impact fintech leaders like bKash are having in Bangladesh and are pleased to partner with them to expand payment options for our riders."

"During the pandemic time, we understand the importance of safer, cashless transactions to help maintain physical distancing. With this partnership we hope to promote more digital transactions, reduce cash dependency on the platform and improve the country's digital financial infrastructure."

Mizanur Rashid, Chief Commercial Officer, bKash, said, "The automatic payment options provided to Uber rides by bKash will bring more relief to customers during this pandemic. The experience of this new digital payment facility will further drive the adoption of uninterrupted ride-sharing services. The payment service for world leading ride-sharing company Uber will enhance the existing network of diversified digital payment solutions and services bKash provides to local consumers"

As the first ride-sharing company to commence operations in Bangladesh in 2016, this partnership shows Uber's unwavering commitment to serving riders, drivers and cities in the country, the media release claimed.

With operations across Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh remains an important market for Uber.