The government has prepared 'Ride-Sharing Service Policy, 2017' to impose certain restrictions on ride-sharing passenger service providers like Uber and Pathao.
The draft of the policy from the Road Transport Department is awaiting approval by Finance Minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, according to government and other sources.
The number of small vehicles like motorcycles and private cars is continuously increasing, causing traffic congestion on the roads.
Public transports are also inadequate compared to the passenger demand leading to normal passenger services being interrupted.
As a result, people are losing valuable working hours and fuel purchased by foreign currencies.
In the interest of the overall economic development of the country, the government wants to bring this sector under a policy with the power given by Section 53 of Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983.
To manage ride sharing services, a company and its vehicle owners must secure 'Ride Sharing Enlistment Certificate' from BRTA.
The company must pay Tk 100,000 to have an enlistment certificate for a one-year term.
The certificate must be renewed each year by paying Tk 10,000. Correction fee will be Tk 1,000.
Enlistment certificate of a ridesharing vehicle will be up to 3 years, and each year the fee will be Tk 2,000. If the certificate is lost or damaged, a copy of it can be obtained for Tk 1,000.
The company with ride-sharing technology should be a public or private limited company and must comply with all associated conditions.
According to the policy, any ridesharing service providing company will require a minimum of 100 vehicles for the areas approved by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), and a minimum 50 vehicles for Chittagong city.
Minimum 20 vehicles will be required for other areas/cities. Non-hired vehicles will also be under ride-sharing services.
The fares of private cars under this service cannot be more than the fares fixed according to the Taxicab Guidelines, 2010. However, if this creates passenger dissatisfaction, then the government may set the fares.