Don’t run Uber service using private car: BRTA

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has asked Uber, a smart phone-based on-demand transport service, not to operate its service by using private car for commercial purposes.

The directives came at a meeting between Uber officials and BRTA Chairman Nazrul Islam at his office in Dhaka this afternoon.

"We have no objection about operating the service. But the service must come under a legal framework," the BRTA Chairman Nazrul Islam told The Daily Star after the meeting.

As per BRTA rules, the vehicles which are registered as private car cannot be operated for commercial purpose, the BRTA chairman said in the meeting.

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In response, Uber officials said they would place a detail action plan of their service by the next three weeks.

"We will hold more discussions with Uber after scrutinising their proposals," Nazrul Islam said.

Uber was attaining popularity among the city commuters after its official launch on November 22.

It is an online platform that connects people to facilitate transportation through a mobile application.

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A day after introduction of the service, BRTA declared Uber illegal saying the company did not take permission from the government for running the service in the country.

Terming the operation of the service as punishable offence, BRTA in a public circular on November 24 warned of legal action against the operator.

However, welcoming the service, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on November 26 said Uber needs to follow legal framework and systematic procedures to run the service.

The biggest advantage of Uber is it does not own any car. It acts like a middleman between customers and cab drivers.

Any car owner can become an Uber driver after getting registered with the company showing valid documents, national identity card and a photograph.