Truck Lagbe: Revolutionizing Bangladesh's Freight Transport Industry with Technology

In Bangladesh, every day, thousands of commercial trucks, pickups, and covered vans are transporting goods across the country, keeping the wheels of the economy running. However, until recently, the traditional freight transportation system was costly, time-consuming, and inefficient, especially for businesses and individuals needing quick and affordable access to freight services. The process typically involved traveling to truck stands or relying on transportation agencies, which led to unpredictability in pricing and availability. But thanks to the innovative startup Truck Lagbe, this age-old system has been transformed, making it easier for people to book freight vehicles online, at competitive rates, and with greater efficiency.

The Rise of Truck Lagbe: A Game-Changer in Bangladesh’s Freight Industry

Truck Lagbe is a digital platform designed to address the challenges of freight transportation in Bangladesh. The app-based service connects truck owners and drivers with service seekers in need of freight vehicles. It offers a streamlined booking process, better rates, and improved logistics, helping to eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional transportation systems. With this platform, individuals and businesses can access affordable transportation services without the hassle of intermediaries and brokers.

The idea for Truck Lagbe began to take shape in 2016 when Mr. Anayet Rashid, the founder and CEO of Truck Lagbe, was involved in an FMCG company that required large-scale transportation of products. Mr. Rashid noticed a significant variation in transportation costs for similar services. For instance, one time the cost of transporting goods from Dhaka to Jessore was BDT 8,000, while another time the same route cost BDT 35,000. This sparked his curiosity, and upon further investigation, he discovered that the differences in pricing stemmed from the truck owners’ concerns about the return journey. This was the key insight that led to the creation of Truck Lagbe – an app that allows truck owners to bid for jobs and ensure a better utilization of their vehicles, thus lowering costs for shippers.

The Journey of Truck Lagbe: From Concept to Digital Freight Leader

The journey of Truck Lagbe started with a shared vision between Mr. Rashid and his co-founder, Mr. Mir Hossain Ekram, both of whom were childhood friends. In 2017, after participating in the ICT Ministry’s Startup Challenge 2017, Truck Lagbe won the competition, which gave them initial traction through media coverage and a small funding boost. This success helped the team take the first step in building the platform. In July 2017, the first beta version of Truck Lagbe was launched with just 25 trucks. The app gained momentum rapidly, and by 2018, the number of trucks listed had grown to 8,000.

In 2019, the company received $1 million in seed funding from Mount Parker Ventures and The Aria Group, and by February 2021, it raised another $5 million in series A funding from IDLC Finance and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). As of 2020, Truck Lagbe boasted over 50,000 registered drivers and 150,000 registered customers. The platform achieved a major milestone by completing 1 million trips by November 2020, proving its immense success and value in Bangladesh’s logistics sector.

How Truck Lagbe Works: Streamlining Freight Services in Bangladesh

Truck Lagbe operates through two separate apps: one for drivers and one for shippers. The process is straightforward and easy to use.

1. Instant Booking: Through the NEED NOW option, shippers can instantly book a truck based on their desired route and cargo type with a fixed rate within Dhaka city. This eliminates the uncertainty and long wait times associated with traditional freight booking methods.
   
    
2. Schedule Booking: For non-urgent deliveries, users can book trucks in advance. They specify the type of cargo, truck size, pickup location, and date, after which truck owners place bids. The shipper can then select the most competitive bid for their needs.

Truck Lagbe’s advanced navigation system helps drivers optimize their routes. The platform also offers additional features such as multi-drop-off points and round-trip services, which make the platform more flexible and cost-effective.

By streamlining the booking process and minimizing logistical inefficiencies, Truck Lagbe helps shippers save up to 30% on logistics costs. The app’s user-friendly design and GPS tracking systems have been key in enhancing the overall experience for both drivers and shippers.

How Truck Lagbe Benefits Both Shippers and Truck Owners

The platform offers significant benefits to both shippers and truck owners, transforming the way freight transportation works in Bangladesh:

1. For Shippers: Shippers no longer have to worry about fluctuating prices, unavailability of vehicles, or relying on middlemen. Truck Lagbe guarantees timely deliveries, competitive rates, and secure transport services.
   
    
2. For Truck Owners/Drivers: Truck owners and drivers can now access more trips and ensure better utilization of their vehicles. They can set their availability and bid for trips, ensuring they don’t return with an empty cargo. The platform also allows drivers to track their earnings and optimize their routes for more efficient deliveries.

In addition to individual users, Truck Lagbe also caters to corporate clients by providing special transport services at competitive rates for companies like Arla Dano, Transcom Consumer Products Ltd, and National Polymer. During the pandemic, Truck Lagbe became even more essential, as many companies experienced transportation challenges. Truck Lagbe provided 100% guarantees on timely truck availability at affordable rates, thus helping businesses weather the transportation crisis.

The Future of Truck Lagbe: Aiming for a Complete Ecosystem

Looking ahead, Truck Lagbe plans to expand its services and create a comprehensive ecosystem for the logistics industry. Currently, the platform connects truck owners and shippers, but the founders aim to include other essential players such as transport agents, wholesalers, laborers, and auto parts suppliers in the ecosystem. By doing so, Truck Lagbe hopes to further enhance the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Bangladesh’s logistics sector.

The company has also developed a GPS device for trucks to monitor road conditions, which could potentially revolutionize the way freight transport operates in the country. This could pave the way for a more connected and technologically advanced transportation network in Bangladesh.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite its success, Truck Lagbe faces challenges. Many truck drivers in Bangladesh lack education and technological proficiency, and the majority of consumers are not yet familiar with booking truck services via apps. Additionally, since Bangladesh is a small country, drivers do not usually travel long distances, and many often return with empty cargo, which reduces overall efficiency.

However, with the rise of digital platforms and a growing interest in tech-driven logistics solutions, Truck Lagbe is poised to overcome these hurdles. The future of freight transportation in Bangladesh is undeniably digital, and Truck Lagbe is leading the way.

Conclusion

Truck Lagbe’s success story is a testament to the power of innovation and technology in transforming traditional industries. By offering an efficient, affordable, and user-friendly solution to freight transport, Truck Lagbe has reshaped the logistics landscape in Bangladesh. With ongoing investments, a growing user base, and a vision to expand its ecosystem, Truck Lagbe is set to play a crucial role in the future of Bangladesh’s transportation industry.

For more insights on logistics and transportation services, check out Truck Lagbe's website or explore more topics on Wiki Bangla.