Public transport ban: No ride-sharing services from Thursday

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has suspended operating motorcycles under mobile app based ride-sharing services to ensure health safety guidelines and social distancing. 

“The suspension will be effective from today [Wednesday],” said BRTA chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder.

“We took the decision to ensure social distancing,” he told Dhaka Tribune.

Meanwhile, BRTA issued a circular in this regard on Wednesday and sent the directives to the service providing companies.

The ban on running motorcycles under ride-sharing services will be effective until further notice (two weeks for now), according to the circular.

When contacted, Pathao, one of the largest bike operators in Bangladesh, said they were still unaware of this development.

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The decision came on the day when the authority imposed restrictions on public transport. As per their directive, no public transport would be allowed to carry more than 50% of their capacity.

According to the BRTA, a total 23,493 vehicles were so far enlisted with the BRTA to operate under ride-sharing service, of which 80% are motorcycles.

Bangladesh Railway on Tuesday also announced that trains will also carry 50% passengers from April 1 for the next two weeks, in order to ensure the safety of the people.

Bangladesh has also imposed a new set of restrictions, including a ban on all public gatherings in areas with high rate of infections.

The Prime Minister's Office issued an 18-point directive as coronavirus infection is on the rise around the country.

The country on Wednesday broke all records in terms of daily Covid-19 cases, as another 5,358 cases were logged – highest since the pandemic broke out in the country in March last year.