BRTA finally allows motorbike ride-sharing services

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has finally allowed the ride-sharing companies to resume their app-based motorcycle services, officials confirmed the media.

The development was made after the repeated calls from the ride-sharing companies in recent times to resume the two-wheeler operation after they got the permission for the four-wheeler services.

The service should follow the BRTA-set health guidelines, said a high official of the regulatory body on condition of anonymity on Friday, adding a resolution will soon be served in this regard.

“About 1,200 BRTA-enlisted motorcycles of the ride-sharing companies will come under the clearance”, he said, adding the service will only be operated under Dhaka Transport Coordinator Authority's (DTCA) areas.

The DTCA areas are: Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi and Manikganj, he added.

On August 26, the ride-sharing companies under the banner of the ‘Bangladesh Ride Sharing Association (BRSA)’ in a statement sought permission, terming the ban on motorbikes as a serious negative move towards the country’s ride-sharing service sector, and demanded immediate withdrawal of the restriction.

The BRTA imposed a ban on the motorbike ridesharing services in March this year on health grounds after the coronavirus infections spread in the country.

Later, it allowed the companies to resume the ridesharing services for four-wheelers in June.