Latest news with #Bykea
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Bykea enables digital payments amid user demand
Ride-hailing and delivery service provider Bykea on Wednesday announced that it was enabling digital payments for all rides in an effort to offer customers 'a seamless, secure, and cashless commuting experience'. In a post on LinkedIn, Bykea's chief operating officer and co-founder Rafiq Malik described the move as a 'significant milestone in Bykea's journey toward modernizing urban mobility in Pakistan'. With this update, passengers can now pay our Bykea's 'driver partners' via Easypaisa, JazzCash and online bank transfer. 'This shift is more than just a convenience—it's a transformative step toward financial inclusion and safer, more efficient travel,' said Malik. 'For customers who prefer not to carry cash or rely on digital wallets and bank transfers, this feature ensures a hassle-free payment experience while reducing the risks associated with cash handling,' he added. Malik said the move would not only improve user convenience but also contribute to a broader economic shift toward a cashless ecosystem — 'one that promotes transparency, security, and financial accessibility for all'. Speaking to Business Recorder, Malik said Bykea initially launched as a cash-first platform, mirroring Pakistan's reliance on cash transactions. However, demand from users pushed the company to embrace digital payments, coupled with ecosystem readiness: 'With Raast's launch and wallet penetration doubling, the timing aligned perfectly.' Raast is an instant payment system, developed by the State Bank of Pakistan. Malik added that while there was still no option for card payments yet, the company 'may consider integrating cards in the future.' Speaking about the process, he said 'this shift required one month of tech infrastructure upgrades and now we have the more important uphill task of driver/consumer education'. 'Bykea's move isn't just about payments—it's a gateway for Pakistan's informal economy (e.g., drivers, small merchants) to enter the digital mainstream,' he added. The announcement comes just days after Pakistani founded ride-hailing giant Careem said it was ending services in Pakistan. In a comment on his LinkedIn post, Malik said, 'Careem and our colleagues there played a pivotal role in pioneering ride-hailing in Pakistan, and we respect their contributions to the ecosystem'. 'Their presence pushed all of us to innovate and deliver better services for Pakistani consumers.'
Express Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Transport fares hiked across Rawalpindi
Transporters across Rawalpindi have increased fares on all urban, intercity, and suburban routes following a sharp hike in petrol and diesel prices. Passengers are now paying Rs2030 more per ride on local and twin-city routes (RawalpindiIslamabad), while fares on long routes have gone up by Rs4050 per passenger. Pakistan Railways has also decided to raise train fares. The sudden fare hikes have led to disputes between transporters and commuters in the twin cities. Qingqi rickshaw operators have added Rs10 per ride, while motorbike ride-hailing services like Bykea have increased fares from Rs100 to Rs130 per trip. Public transport vehicles such as Suzuki vans and Bykea servicing routes like Fawara Chowk to Bhara Kahu, Rawat, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Sihala, Golra Sharif, and Chaklala Airport have added Rs20 to their fares. Other routes including Saddar to Adiala Jail, Taxila, Rawat, Kahuta, and Kutchery have seen fare increases ranging from Rs10 to Rs20 per passenger. Passengers complain that fares rise immediately with fuel price hikes but are never reduced when prices drop. "From Raja Bazaar to Morgah, Rs10 extra was charged per person, yet no official fare hike notification has been issued," said commuter Asghar Ali. Meanwhile, Vice President of the Transport Federation, Asif Khan, justified the increase, stating, "Our vehicles run on petrol and diesel. When prices go up, it affects everything - spare parts, maintenance, tires - all have become 100% to 400% more expensive. We can't bear any more losses. Toll taxes and traffic fines have doubled or tripled, and traffic police bribes have also increased." Adding to the chaos, many petrol stations across the city suspended fuel sales late Sunday night around 11pm in anticipation of the price hike. Most stations refused to dispense more than 12 litres per customer, leading to long queues of cars and motorcycles. Normal sales resumed after the official announcement of the new prices.
Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Thousands rendered jobless post 'Chand Raat'
The temporary employment of about 75,000 workers, who worked as helpers and security staff in shops and commercial centres from 1st of Ramazan to Eidul Fitr across the district, finally came to an end, leaving them jobless once again. These male and female helpers were paid between Rs18,000 and Rs25,000 for their services throughout Ramazan, provided with Iftar, and even offered a free cup of tea at night. Their shifts lasted 15 hours daily, from 10am to 1am, without a single day off. Some shopkeepers gave them a suit as an Eid gift, and shoe store owners gifted them a pair of shoes. Due to Chand Raat, markets, plazas, shopping malls, and commercial centres in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad remained open until 6am. The influx of people, including women and youngsters, was overwhelming, but actual purchasing remained significantly lower than usual. The customer rush witnessed on Saturday could not be restored on Chand Raat, mainly due to skyrocketing inflation and the departure of out-of-town residents to their native areas. The crowd of enthusiastic young men was more prominent in markets on Chand Raat. Women primarily purchased bangles, henna, and artificial jewellery, while clothing shops saw minimal sales. Traffic in city markets remained severely disrupted despite the presence of police, including female officers, who struggled to manage the situation. Despite a ban, thrill-seekers were seen performing one-wheeling on Murree Road and Rawal Road. Henna shops were packed with women, girls, and students, with stalls set up in every market. Women adorned their hands and feet with intricate henna designs, though the rates were double the usual, ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs1,500. Henna experts were hired for this purpose. Shopkeepers decorated their stores with vibrant and colourful lights to attract customers. Children dressed in cartoon-like costumes and masks stood at store entrances. Transport hubs remained deserted on Chand Raat as a large number of out-of-town residents had already departed for their hometowns on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, passenger turnout remained low. Local transport services, including rickshaws, taxis, and Qingqi rickshaws, exploited the situation, charging Rs200 instead of the usual Rs100. Bike riders working for Bykea also charged inflated fares, making the most of the opportunity.
