Jatri Kalyan Samiti urges govt to allow resumption of ride-sharing motorcycle services
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A passengers' welfare platform urged the government to allow the resumption of ride-sharing motorcycle services through maintaining strict health guidelines.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti also called on the government to make sure that the passengers are wearing helmets.
Mozzammel Haque, Secretary General of the organisation made the demand in a statement sent to the media on Thursday.
Keeping in mind the rising Covid-19 infection rates, the country’s transport regulator earlier banned operation of motorcycles under ride-sharing services to ensure health safety guidelines and physical distancing.
Terming that the service has established itself as the only source of livelihoods for more than 500,000 people, Mr Mozzammel said due to traffic congestion, public transport crisis, and fare anarchy, ride-sharing on motorcycles were introduced in response to the needs of the time.
Emergency commuters are in dire straits as this vehicle, which has become popular among the passengers due to various reasons including traffic congestion and public transport crisis, has been shut down due to the Covid-19 crisis, Mr Haque insists.
Terming the vehicle as relatively less risky than other public transports, he alleged that it has been shut down leaving passengers as well as drivers in the profession in dire financial straits.
Although it is difficult to follow the rules of hygiene in public transport, it is much easier to follow the rules in the case of motorcycles, he added.
Meanwhile, since the beginning of the Covid-19 restrictions on Monday, ride sharing bikers continued to stage demonstrations across the city.
Motorcyclists operating their vehicles under ride-sharing services blocked a road near Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters on Wednesday, demanding continuation of their services during the weeklong restriction on public movement and transports.
The bikers also demonstrated in front of Jatiya Press Club, protesting cases filed against them for operating amid the government's restrictions.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Wednesday has already allowed ride sharing entity Uber's car services amid Covid-19 restrictions.