Cabinet nods guideline draft legalizing Uber, Pathao

The Cabinet has approved the draft of a guideline legalizing smartphone application-based ride-hailing services such as Uber and Pathao. “Ride-sharing has been brought under the legal framework,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told the media on Monday afternoon after the Ride-Sharing Services Guideline 2017 draft was approved at a regular Cabinet meeting. The policy has eight sections and 11 conditions. “Use of new vehicles in ride-sharing services has been prohibited. However, vehicles can be used for such services after a year of personal use,” the secretary added. Fares will have to be fixed as per the Taxicab Act 2010, Shafiul said. Sources at the meeting said during the discussion on the policy, ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar proposed keeping detailed information about vehicle owners and drivers in the apps so that the passengers can see the information if they want. He said the ICT Ministry would assist BTRC if the latter takes initiative to this end. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nodded Jabbar’s proposal and ordered taking necessary steps.

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The 11 conditions are

1) The companies have to take enlistment certificates from the BRTA 2) The owners of the apps must be TIN holders and pay regular tax. If the owner is a company, then it must be registered with the joint stock 3) Must have own office 4) Must have at least 100 vehicles to provide service in Dhaka, 50 in Chittagong and 20 in other districts 5) The vehicles’ taxes must be paid and route permits have to be updated 6) An agreement between the vehicle owner and the driver 7) Not parking the vehicle in any place other than the stands 8) BTRC website must have detailed information about the service provider organizations, vehicle owners and drivers 9) Tk100,000 and other fees must be submitted with application for registration. The registration duration will be three years. The renewal fee will be Tk10,000 10) Complaints can be filed against the owners and drivers online 11) For breach of discipline, the licences can be cancelled and cases under the existing laws can be filed against the offenders These conditions will be applicable for both private cars and motorcycles.This article was first published on Bangla Tribune