Women-only ridesharing apps step on the brakes | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
Women-only ridesharing apps step on the brakes

Panorama

Miraz Hossain
29 August, 2023, 08:50 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2023, 11:37 am

Related News

  • From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas
  • Violence against women in first half of 2025 shows sharp increase over previous 2 years
  • July Women’s Day: Uprising belongs to all, say speakers
  • Women of the July Uprising: She stood in courage, left in silence
  • Burning at both ends: Urban heat and the daily struggle of Dhaka’s marginalised women

Women-only ridesharing apps step on the brakes

In a market where bike services were mostly offered by male riders, some companies decided to capitalise on the vacuum for female riders. But the women-only ridesharing services left almost as quickly as they entered the market

Miraz Hossain
29 August, 2023, 08:50 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2023, 11:37 am
More than 60% of female adolescents who use public transport in the capital become victims of some form of harassment. Some companies wanted to alleviate this pain and thus women-only ridesharing apps were born. PHOTO: Noor-A-Alam.
More than 60% of female adolescents who use public transport in the capital become victims of some form of harassment. Some companies wanted to alleviate this pain and thus women-only ridesharing apps were born. PHOTO: Noor-A-Alam.

Back in 2016, as app-based ridesharing became a phenomenon in Bangladesh, the market seemed to be growing fast without any intention of slamming on the brakes. 

And as numerous companies decided to hop on that bandwagon, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) ended up approving 15 ridesharing companies in line with the Ride-sharing Service Guidelines 2017. 

However, bike services were mostly offered by male riders, and many women found that uncomfortable. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Even last year, a survey conducted by Aachol Foundation found that more than 60% of female adolescents who use public transport in the capital become victims of some form of harassment.

A womam riding a motorcycle on the streets of Dhaka. PHOTO: Noor-A-Alam.
A womam riding a motorcycle on the streets of Dhaka. PHOTO: Noor-A-Alam.

Some companies wanted to alleviate this pain and thus women-only ridesharing apps were born. But the services disappeared almost as quickly as they entered the market — not a single one exists anymore.

So what caused the death of the women-only ridesharing apps?  

Lily Ride withered before blooming 

Launched in December 2017 with the slogan "For women and by women," Lily Ride was the first in the country to offer a women-only ridesharing service, meaning the rider and commuter both were women.

Syed Saif, co-founder of Lily, first had the idea when his wife received a text from a male motorbike driver after her commute, which made her "really uncomfortable."

Then came the pandemic.

The app is now nowhere to be found, the website no longer works and the Facebook page last posted in January 2022. Heading to their office address given on the Facebook page revealed that they had left the address long ago. 

However, Lily still exists, just not as a ridesharing service provider anymore. 

"We have pivoted from ridesharing to a more interesting business model. It is a fusion between ecommerce and social media — we call it a zero investment business platform for women," said Saif.

Asked why Lily Ride had failed, Saif responded that it was the lack of enough female riders. "We could not keep up with the demand. For example, there were requests for 150-250 rides daily and we could complete only around 15," he elaborated. 

Lily tried to train new riders, but that too did not work. So, they could not keep it up and finally shut down completely in 2021. "The business model is not a sustainable one; though I started with much enthusiasm, I failed" Saif further said.

Obon to reenter the game

Obon was a concern of ridesharing app Obhai, which offers passengers cars or CNG-driven auto rickshaws for commute. They had a motorbike service and it was under this that they launched Obon, a women-only ridesharing app.

"Starting in 2018, we had expanded to nearly 32 districts by 2019, with plans to cover the entire country in the near future. Significant investments had been made. However, the arrival of the pandemic disrupted our plans," said Rahid Ishtiaque Chowdhury, Chief Operating Officer of Obhai Solutions Limited.

Rahid further explained that the app remained inactive for a prolonged period, resulting in substantial infrastructural and other expenses. 

"When we began, we provided motorbikes and training to riders. Unfortunately, the number of women riders in Bangladesh is notably low. To bridge this gap, we trained women from diverse backgrounds, assisted them in obtaining licences, but still faced a shortage of riders," Rahid shared.

"Managing a large pool of drivers is complex," he acknowledged. But despite the obstacles, they managed to expand the driver pool and bike offerings. 

However, they encountered a setback when off-app, known as 'khyap' riders, began dominating the motorbike ridesharing market. This prompted a strategic retreat, leading to the complete withdrawal of the motorbike wing. Consequently, Obon was also discontinued, as it was intertwined with the motorbike service.

Presently, there is an ongoing effort to resurrect Obon independently, not as part of the motorbike wing. Collaboration with women's empowerment organisations is in progress. 

"By pooling together a group of riders, we aim to relaunch the service," Rahid expressed optimistically.

Pink SAM: Parent company ahead of its time

Back in June 2016, Datavoxel Ltd, based in the US, introduced Share a Motorcycle (SAM) — an app-based motorcycle service in Dhaka city. 

"A friend, a senior brother, and I started SAM back in 2015 under Datavoxel Ltd," shared Fakir Zahid Hasan who was the Director of SAM.

In January 2018, SAM expanded by launching Pink SAM, an exclusive app for women's ride-sharing. Unfortunately, SAM's journey was cut short due to operational challenges.

Hasan outlined three main reasons for this outcome. First, SAM's initial strategy focused on providing affordable rides to office-goers, offering rides at a minimal rate of Tk6 per km. 

"We offered rides at a much lower rate thinking that since the driver would go to his destination with an empty seat, whatever he would get with a commuter would be extra income for him." However, the market shifted when competitors like Pathao offered better rates (Tk12 per km) to drivers. 

SAM started with keeping the helpless office-goers and idle seats of bike owners in mind, but it failed to foresee that it would become a standalone profession. "In reality, commuters were not helpless in terms of money. Therefore, instead of waiting for my bikes, they went to alternatives even at higher fares." 

The second reason was SAM's push for cashless transactions through platforms like bKash, which was met with hesitation from customers uncomfortable with app-based payments at the time. "After your ride, you could pay via bKash or your e-wallet. But people in Bangladesh were not that comfortable using e-wallet payment yet," he added. 

Lastly, Hasan highlighted the fierce discount battle. Rivals offered unsustainable discounts, straining SAM's resources. "They would profit Tk10 and offer a discount of Tk20. We could not do that. We did not have the funds to back that up," Hasan remarked.

"With Pink SAM, we had high hopes too. We wanted to create a large driver pool, provide bikes on loans. But with all the losses, we had to pack up our business," concluded Hasan. 

Features / Top News

Ride sharing / women / transportation

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Bangladesh win nail-biter to clinch series win 
    Bangladesh win nail-biter to clinch series win 

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • The jet plane charred after crash on 21 July at the Milestone school premises. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Milestone plane crash: Death toll rises to 31 as nine more succumb to injuries
  • Students and police clash at Milestone School and College on 22 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Protesting Milestone students clash with police, besiege law and education advisers
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Aerial view of the Milestone school premises where the crash took place on 21 July. Photo: Olid Ebna Shah/ TBS
    ‘Why here?’: Concerns expressed over airbase inside city

Related News

  • From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas
  • Violence against women in first half of 2025 shows sharp increase over previous 2 years
  • July Women’s Day: Uprising belongs to all, say speakers
  • Women of the July Uprising: She stood in courage, left in silence
  • Burning at both ends: Urban heat and the daily struggle of Dhaka’s marginalised women

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

8h | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

3h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

1h | TBS Today
What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

1h | TBS Today
Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

1h | TBS Today
Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net