Women choose Uber for safety, easy access: survey

Women in Bangladesh prefer Uber mainly for safety aspects and easy access, according to a report. 

About 96 per cent of female respondents say safety is an important determiner while 72 per cent agree it is now easier to get home late at night, found the ride-sharing platform's 2021 Bangladesh Economic Impact Report.

Comprising research by UK-based Public First, the report was unveiled at The Westin Dhaka yesterday.

Achieving the Smart Bangladesh 2041 goal requires more brands like Uber, whose success can be somewhat attributed to Bangladesh's lack of public transport, said Salman F Rahman, the prime minister's private industry and investment adviser.

Those who come to Bangladesh for the first time always mention of a lack of taxis. There was a big gap but Uber has filled it, he said.

"This research shows for the first time the impact on drivers, riders and the economy as a whole," said Mike Orgill, senior director, public policy and government relations at APAC at Uber.

The report also stated that Uber contributed an estimated Tk 45 billion to Bangladesh's economy in 2021. This includes both the impact of earnings of driver-partners and the wider indirect and induced multiplier effect created throughout the company's wider supply chain.