Uber expands to Chittagong as digital transport pushes into Bangladesh’s second city

Uber has launched its ride-hailing service in Chittagong (Chattogram), marking a significant expansion of its operations in Bangladesh nearly a decade after entering the country in 2016.

The move brings the global platform to the port city, Bangladesh’s main seaport and a key commercial hub, where residents have long navigated growing congestion, uneven public transport, and rising demand for more predictable travel options.

For passengers, the company says the service will offer app-based booking, upfront fare estimates, GPS tracking, digital payments and round-the-clock availability. In practice, this could make journeys across busy corridors such as Agrabad, GEC Circle, Khulshi and Chawkbazar more straightforward, particularly for commuters who rely on daily travel for work, study or business.

Uber’s expansion is being presented as part of a broader shift towards digital mobility in fast-growing urban centres. “Mobility plays a critical role in supporting the city’s continued growth and connectivity,” said Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, MP and Minister of State for the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, welcoming the launch and highlighting the potential for flexible earning opportunities.

For Uber, Chittagong represents both a new market and a deeper foothold in Bangladesh’s urban transport ecosystem. “We are excited to launch Uber in Chittagong and bring our technology platform to one of the country’s most vibrant and fast-growing cities,” said Redwan Rezvi, country general manager for Uber Bangladesh.

The company argues that its platform will generate income opportunities for drivers, offering flexible hours and access to a wider customer base. Similar claims have been made since Uber’s arrival in Dhaka in 2016, where it has since become a familiar, if sometimes contested, part of the city’s transport mix.

Yet the practical impact in Chittagong will depend on more than availability. Questions remain around affordability for regular commuters, competition with established informal transport networks, and how far app-based services can scale without adding to already strained road conditions.

Supporters of ride-hailing point to greater convenience, reduced need for fare negotiation and improved route transparency. Critics, however, argue that such platforms can deepen congestion, intensify pressure on existing drivers and concentrate earnings within a small pool of vehicle owners rather than broadly transforming urban employment.

For now, Uber’s arrival signals a further step in the digitalisation of urban mobility in Bangladesh. Whether it meaningfully reshapes how people move through Chittagong, or simply adds another layer to an already complex transport system, will become clearer as adoption grows and the market adjusts.