Ride sharing without apps: Drivers, passengers to face legal action

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has warned of legal action against ride-sharing service providers, motor vehicle owners, drivers and service recipients who use or provide ride-sharing services without designated apps.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the regulator also said action will be taken against any ride sharing company and their riders if they overcharge customers, which is a violation of the Ride-sharing Service Guideline 2017.

The government had introduced the guideline to regulate app-based ride-sharing services, and all stakeholders will have to abide by these rules, the BRTA said.

According to the guideline, riders and drivers must collect ride-sharing enlistment certificates from the regulator to provide relevant services using ride sharing apps, and collect a set amount of fare.

The BRTA said it has noticed that some motor vehicle drivers are not abiding by the conditions of this policy. Contract-based ride-sharing services are being provided without compliance, and additional fares are being charged, contrary to the ride-sharing service guideline.

The regulator asked customers not to use any ride sharing services without apps.