A new vehicle-pooling application in Dhaka is offering commuters the option to share rides in rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and private vehicles, aiming to reduce travel costs and improve transport efficiency in the congested capital.
A resident of Jatrabari, referred to as Azadul Islam (pseudonym), works at a private firm in Karwan Bazar. His daily commute involves multiple transport modes: buses, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, rickshaws, and the metro rail. He travels from Jatrabari to Motijheel using surface transport, then takes the metro rail to Karwan Bazar. On the return journey, he repeats a similar combination. Like many commuters, he faces overcrowded buses, concerns over petty theft, and frequently disputed fares in auto-rickshaws. While rickshaws are comparatively more predictable in cost, fares have also reportedly increased in recent times.
Such commuting challenges are common across Dhaka, where many passengers travel similar routes at similar times but still hire separate vehicles, leaving seats unused and increasing individual transport expenses.
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App-based pooling initiative
To address this inefficiency, three students from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)—Zobayer Khan, Mustakim Morsed, and Abu Bakar—have developed a vehicle-pooling platform called “JyGo.”
The concept behind the app is to connect passengers travelling at similar times and along similar routes, enabling them to share a single vehicle such as a private car, CNG auto-rickshaw, or rickshaw. The fare is then divided among passengers.
For example, if a CNG auto-rickshaw fare from Karwan Bazar to Jatrabari is 400 Bangladeshi taka, three passengers sharing the ride through the app would split the cost among themselves.
Key operational features
The developers state that the system offers two main types of ride-matching: scheduled commuters who travel regularly on fixed routes, and instant matching for passengers travelling at the same time. The app uses location data to connect nearby users heading in the same direction.
The platform also includes safety features such as user verification, live location tracking, and an emergency calling function. A gender preference option allows female users to choose to share rides exclusively with other female passengers if desired.
Usage and growth
Launched in January this year on the Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery, the app has reportedly gained traction quickly. Within three months, it surpassed 7,500 users, with new registrations continuing daily.
It has also recently been ranked fourth among ride-hailing companies in a global startup network listing by F6S.
Expansion plans
Currently operating only in Dhaka, the developers are planning expansion both domestically and internationally. They are considering launching services in Malaysia next month, followed by potential entry into India and Sri Lanka.
App overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | JyGo |
| Developers | BUET Urban and Regional Planning students |
| Launch platform | Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery |
| User base | Over 7,500 (within 3 months) |
| Service type | Vehicle pooling (cars, CNGs, rickshaws) |
| Key functions | Route matching, live tracking, user verification |
| Safety features | Emergency call, gender preference option |
| Expansion plans | Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka |
Expert view
A professor from BUET’s Urban and Regional Planning Department, Ishrat Islam, described the initiative as promising, noting that shared mobility could add a new dimension to urban transport in Dhaka. She observed that similar systems, such as community bus services, exist in other countries, but such initiatives are relatively new in Dhaka. She also emphasised that while the model reflects innovative thinking, further attention to safety measures remains important for wider adoption.