A Dhaka-built ride-sharing app by BUET students aims to cut commuting costs and reduce congestion through smart vehicle pooling.
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| JyGo introduces vehicle pooling in Dhaka, positioning itself as a cheaper and more efficient alternative to mainstream ride-hailing apps. Image: G-Play/CH |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — May 6, 2026:
A group of students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has introduced a ride-sharing application that could challenge conventional commuting patterns in Dhaka. The app, called JyGo, is designed to connect passengers heading in the same direction at the same time, allowing them to share vehicles and divide travel costs.
Urban transport in Dhaka has long been characterized by inefficiency. Despite high demand, many vehicles—including private cars, CNG-powered autorickshaws, and rickshaws—often carry a single passenger, leaving multiple seats unused. JyGo attempts to address this gap by digitally matching riders with similar routes, effectively turning unused capacity into shared opportunity.
The developers claim that users can cut transportation expenses by as much as 50 to 80 percent by sharing rides. This sharply contrasts with traditional ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Pathao, where passengers typically book entire vehicles for individual trips. While both Uber and Pathao have introduced pooling features in some markets, such services are either limited or not widely adopted in Dhaka.
JyGo’s model, by comparison, places pooling at its core rather than as an optional feature. It also integrates informal transport modes—such as rickshaws and CNG autorickshaws—more directly than its global and regional competitors, reflecting a deeper alignment with local commuting realities.
Another key difference lies in pricing structure. Unlike Uber and Pathao, which generate revenue through commissions on each ride, JyGo currently does not charge users any service fee. This makes it significantly more affordable but raises questions about how the platform will sustain operations and scale over time.
Launched earlier this year on major app platforms, JyGo has already gained traction, attracting more than 7,500 users within its first three months. The startup has also received international recognition, ranking among leading ride-hailing ventures by F6S. While still in its early stages, this momentum suggests a growing appetite for alternative mobility solutions.
The app offers two primary modes: regular route matching for daily commuters and instant ride matching for one-time trips. By using live location data, it connects nearby users traveling in the same direction, making the process dynamic and responsive to real-time demand.
Safety remains a central concern in shared mobility, particularly when traveling with strangers. To address this, JyGo includes user verification, live tracking, and emergency features. Notably, it also provides a gender preference option, enabling female passengers to share rides exclusively with other women if they choose—an important consideration in the local context.
Despite its promise, JyGo faces significant competitive pressure. Established platforms like Uber and Pathao benefit from large user bases, driver networks, and financial backing, allowing them to offer reliability and scale that new entrants often struggle to match. However, JyGo’s hyper-local focus and cost advantage could help it carve out a niche among price-sensitive commuters.
The founders are already looking beyond Bangladesh, with plans to expand to Malaysia and later to India and Sri Lanka. Entering these markets will place JyGo in direct competition with not only Uber but also regional players like Ola, further intensifying the challenge.
Still, JyGo represents a broader wave of grassroots innovation emerging from Bangladesh’s technology sector. By focusing on practical, locally relevant solutions, the app highlights how young entrepreneurs are leveraging digital tools to tackle everyday urban challenges.
Whether JyGo can achieve lasting impact will depend on its ability to scale, maintain user trust, and establish a viable business model. For now, it offers a compelling alternative to mainstream ride-hailing—one that prioritizes shared efficiency over individual convenience in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.