Cox’s Bazar hosts meeting on safe, sustainable transport
A discussion meeting was held with various stakeholders to make Cox's Bazar a tourist-friendly city, free from traffic congestion, ensure smooth transportation for tourists, and promote disciplined and safe vehicles.
The meeting, organised by **Number One Electronics**, occurred on Thursday evening (May 8) at *Ocean Paradise, Cox's Bazar*. The chief guest, *Additional Superintendent of Police (Cox's Bazar) Mr. Jasim Uddin*, highlighted the award-winning Cox Cab initiative from 2023. Through Cox Cab, he introduced a verification card system for three-wheeler drivers, enhancing tourist safety and driver discipline.
However, he expressed concerns about increasing the number of risky vehicles, including traditional three-wheelers, such as TomTom, Mishuk, and Auto Riksha, contributing to traffic congestion. He suggested that E-TomTom* could be a safer, sustainable alternative for tourists, improving transportation and the city's aesthetic appeal.
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He also mentioned that adequate measures are being taken to regulate bus movement in the city, ensuring better traffic management. *E-TomTom's rental service* could be a viable solution for modernising tourist transport.
Zaynal Abedin, Founder and CEO of E-TomTom, stated that while tourists enjoy high-quality hotel facilities, safe and reliable transport for sightseeing has been lacking. Many visitors worry about safety. Thus, E-TomTom aims to provide a secure, sustainable transport system at fair fares, ensuring comfort for tourists while offering drivers and owners additional income opportunities. Tourists and locals can easily book rides with trained and skilled drivers, allowing them to enjoy Cox's Bazar.
Under the slogan "Safe & Sustainable," E-TomTom has launched an EV Terminal (One-Stop Solution)* to replace risky electric vehicles and promote lithium-ion phosphate batteries over acid batteries. Currently in trial, the initiative plans to phase out old, hazardous auto-rickshaws (Misuk and Tomtom) with eco-friendly alternatives, pending local administration support.
Naeem Hasan, Head of Business at Trade Intercontinental, shared that they are importing Jinpeng electric three-wheelers from China and plan to establish local production if demand rises. With administrative support, they intend to offer instalment plans in *Chattogram and Cox's Bazar*. Their vehicles are undergoing BUET testing, and they expect certification this month. *Jinpeng and e-TomTom* could become key players in Bangladesh's electric transport revolution.
Ms Yeiwi Zhu, Chief Operating Officer of Tiger New Energy, proposed battery-swapping as a cost-effective solution. This would allow users to rent lithium batteries daily instead of purchasing expensive ones, making high-quality EVS more accessible.
Currently, traditional three-wheelers using acid batteries harm the environment and pose a risk of lead poisoning to drivers, owners, and passengers. However, the high cost of lithium batteries discourages adoption.
As electric vehicles gain global popularity and contribute to climate change mitigation, Bangladesh can also progress through collective effort. E-TomTom aims to lead this change, expanding EV Terminals nationwide with the support of local administrations.
