Relentless rain keeps passengers away, hits ride-sharing earnings
Many Pathao riders say the number of trips they complete each day has dropped sharply, significantly reducing their daily income.
Days of heavy rain and widespread waterlogging in Dhaka have not only disrupted commuters but also hit the earnings of ride-sharing drivers, as fewer passengers book rides and flooded roads make driving slower and riskier.
Many Pathao riders say the number of trips they complete each day has dropped sharply, significantly reducing their daily income.
Zahidur Islam, a Pathao rider who had just completed a trip from Jagannath University to Eskaton, said demand has fallen noticeably since the spell of rain began.
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"I'm not getting as many passengers as before. Before the rain started, I used to complete eight to 10 trips a day. Yesterday, I managed only three or four," he told TBS.
He said riding through waterlogged streets has become increasingly challenging.
"It's difficult to ride through flooded roads. Water has accumulated in many areas, so we have to drive carefully and take extra risks. At the same time, many people are avoiding motorcycle rides because of the rain," he said.
According to Zahidur, the rain has not only reduced passenger demand but also increased travel times. Waterlogged roads and heavy traffic mean each trip takes much longer to complete, limiting the number of rides drivers can finish in a day.
"Our daily income has fallen, but costs such as fuel and maintenance remain unchanged," he said.
