My experience with Ride Sharing Service 'Pathao' in Kathmandu.

Recently I have started using Pathao for transportation when travelling inside Kathmandu (This service is currently available only in Kathmandu), and in this blog post, I am jotting down some of my impressions with it.

As most of us already know, Pathao is a ride sharing service, which started from and is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh. And 'Pathao' is a Bengali word which very aptly means ''send it.'' Pathao made an announcement that they were launching bike-sharing operation in Kathmandu on September 12, 2018.

In the case of Kathmandu, Pathao provides on-demand ride sharing services through motorcycles only. Pathao app is freely available on both Android and IOS platforms, and both the Pathao driver and the Pathao passenger are supposed to have this app installed on their smartphones to avail this service. 

Actually,  the features that I found particularly good and handy were it has very convenient ordering system and and GPS- enabled tracking system allows us to track the Pathao motorcycle to our door- all on one Pathao app. In my personal experience of having taken Pathao rides more than 5 times, the drivers have not taken more than 10 minutes (it must have been less in most cases) to reach my doorstep. Also, it has very scientific and fraud-proof pricing system, as the fare for the entire journey can be seen even before placing an order for a Pathao ride. Drivers, that are normally called 'riders' in Pathao's context do not overcharge their customers, unless we willingly want to give them some tips, the fare shown on the app will be final.

More importantly, Pathao services are cheaper than taxis and faster and more convenient than public transportation, as public vehicles in Kathmandu are, more often than not, overcrowded, and cases traffic congestions are very commonplace.

HOW TO REQUEST A PATHAO RIDE

1. Open your Pathao app and select the bike option from the main screen. Turn on the GPS / Location.
2.  Select the BIKE OPTION from the main screen. (Your pickup point will set automatically or you can type it down).
3. On TAP to select your destination or type your destination down.
4. Or, you can also set the destination by moving the map around.
5. Once the destination is selected press DONE (Pathao will show fare for the entire journey at this stage).
6. Finally, select SEND PICKUP REQUEST.
   Then Pathao will connect you to a nearby rider. You can see the information about the bike or scooter of which model the rider you have been connected to is using.  You can swipe up to view the rider information more importantly his ratings.
7. After you send pickup request, the rider will call you, and you can provide them with further information about the location, also you can track where the rider is sitting at your home from the Pathao app.
8. After the rider has come, hop on and enjoy the ride. Remember to get ready before you place an order because riders usually arrive at the pickup point within few minutes, so that you don't waste their time.
   
   
   It is advisable to take with you a mask and sunglasses to save your eyes and lungs because roads in Kathmandu are very dusty and polluted.

Pathao bike rides, though they are faster, convenient and cheaper, can be difficult when it is raining, unlike cabs though. And, cab owners do not like Pathao because it simply threatens their revenue. Most cabs in Kathmandu do not follow the pricing system set by the government and try to swindle their customers as much as they can.

There are other ride sharing services in Kathmandu, and Tootle is a competitor of Pathao. And, I have not personally used Tootle so I cannot review it, and the purpose of this post is also not to compare them. But if you want to watch a comparison video of Tootle and Pathao by M&S Vmag, just CLICK HERE.

Overall, Pathao is easy to use, convenient and by and large risk-free. It is cheaper than taxi services and offer faster transportation services in Kathmandu. Pathao ride from Dhapasi to Juwal Chowk Lalitpur, where the total distance is 7.47 kilometres, had cost me 142 rupees, and that from Dhapasi to Lazimpat, where the total distance is 2.06 kilometres,  had cost me 61 rupees. In another case, when I had travelled from Dhapasi to BG Mall, Ring Road, Gangabu Chowk, where the total distance is 1.82 kilometres, had cost me  57 rupees. All this information and detailed invoice is saved on Pathao app and can be accessed anytime.