PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

MAHMUDUL HASAN

On-demand service platform Sheba.xyz has launched a “Fuel Refuelling Driver Service” that allows customers to hire a driver to queue at a filling station on their behalf and refuel the vehicle. The move has drawn mixed reactions online as fuel shortages continue to grip Dhaka and other cities.

The company announced the service through its verified social media page, saying customers can book a driver via the Sheba app or a dedicated hotline. The driver will collect the vehicle, wait in the fuel queue, refuel it, and return it -- sparing users hours of waiting.

The service is priced at Tk 175 per hour during the day and Tk 225 per hour at night.

The launch comes as motorists across the country have been forced to wait several hours at pumps or leave without fuel, following supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran.

The announcement received a mixed reception on social media. Supporters called it a practical workaround.

“This is called entrepreneurship. Wonderful,” commented Facebook user Arzan Hosen on Sheba’s post.

Another user, Md Jahidul Islam, said time was more valuable than money, while others described the idea as “unique.”

Facebook user Iftekhar Uddin questioned the value proposition, noting that if fuel worth Tk 1,000 takes three to four hours to obtain, the total cost under the service would rise to Tk 1,525 to Tk 1,700 during the day and Tk 1,675 to Tk 1,900 at night.

He argued that service charges could exceed the cost of fuel itself during long waits, and added that high-volume vehicle owners typically have personal drivers who handle such tasks at no extra cost.

Adnan Imtiaz Halim, chief executive officer of Sheba, said the service grew directly out of customer feedback.

“We began receiving calls and messages from our existing customers, especially those who already use our ‘On-Demand Driver service’,” he said.

“Someone shared that he had to take leave from work just to stand in line for fuel. Another mentioned that his driver spent the entire night at a pump and then had to drive during the day without proper rest.”

“This service is not designed to compete with fuel pricing; it is about saving time, reducing stress, and offering an option to those who cannot afford to wait in long lines,” he said, acknowledging the cost concern.

“For someone who has the time and flexibility, the queue may be manageable. But for many working professionals and families, it isn’t.”

On safety, Halim said all drivers had been verified and trained, with tracking and support systems in place. He described the service as temporary.

“We are optimistic that the fuel supply situation will stabilise soon, and this need will naturally go away,” he said.