The association of Ibadan e-hailing drivers have announced that they are embarking on a 5-day strike to protest the unmatchable increase in fares by Bolt which they claim does not match the current realities of the nation.
The drivers said in a statement obtained by Technext that they would not accept the current increase of just 15% in Ibadan, compared to the recently adjusted 112% in Lagos, given that the removal of the fuel subsidy has led to an increase in fuel pump prices of over 150% nationwide, increasing their costs and negatively affecting their profits.
The statement reads:
“We Ibadan e-hailing drivers will not accept the new pricing increase by Bolt. This is totally ridiculous and getting out of hand. We can not cope again with the current situation. Purchasing fuel for N500 per litre and charging N700 to N1000 for trips does not yield any profit for us but losses.”
“We will be going on strike in the next 5 days and it will start on Wednesday 7th June 2023, at 5 am through Sunday 13th June 2023, at 10 pm. If Bolt and other companies refused to heed our demands within this period then the strike will continue indefinitely.“
The group noted that without them, the e-hailing companies would not be in operation, and as such should always consider their needs and profitability. They also threatened to ditch the companies and switch off their apps if their demands are not met.
“The power is in our hands because without us there is no Bolt or Uber. It is better we switch off their apps for now than to work as slaves. This is the time Bolt and other apps company need to adjust the price appropriately to reflect current economic realities.“
“We will only partner with any app companies that are ready to meet up with reasonable and realistic fares for our drivers. We own our cars, we face the danger and risks outside alone.
We also meet the riders first and maintain the car, yet Bolt and other app companies keep getting their commissions irrespective of the risks,” the statement adds.
This slavery work has to stop! Operation off ur app!!! Operation Cover your zone!!!
The group says
More on the planned strike from the e-hailing drivers
Recall that recently, the e-hailing company, Bolt, had announced a 15% increase in its fares. This came as drivers under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) demanded a fare increase from ride-hailing companies such as Uber, Bolt, and others following the fuel subsidy removal.
Subsequently, in an email to drivers obtained by Technext, pricing for the regular Bolt trip rose from N3,300 to N3,780. In the same vain, a trip on Bolt Corporate rose from N3,460 to N4,020 while the fare for Bolt Lite rose from N2,660 to N2,980. Taken together, they represent an increase of about 15%.
However, while the increments were commendable, they were a very far cry from the 200% increase the drivers were demanding.
This led to an emergency meeting by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON), in which they called for a 200% increase in fares after Bolt increased its fares by just 15%.
As part of their demands, AUATWON requested a 200 per cent increase in price reviews, a decrease in commissions, and a subsidy for riders. As pressure from the app-based transportation workers grows, the union implores the ride-hailing companies to act quickly on their demands.
In response to that, Bolt announced updated pricing for its services in Nigeria, specifically in Lagos. It said:
“In Lagos, the base fare has increased by 17%, rising from ₦450 to ₦527. The price per kilometre has surged by 36.84%, going from ₦95 to ₦130. Similarly, the cost per minute has risen by 35.29% to ₦23 from ₦17. As a result, the minimum fare for Bolt rides in Lagos has increased by 23% to ₦800 from its previous ₦650. This comprehensive adjustment amounts to a total increase of 112% across various pricing factors.“
But, the drivers in Ibadan have now voiced their displeasure with that increment, claiming it did not compensate them for the expenses they incur and the risks they take. Threatening to enforce their demands, they have also announced the deployment of a task force to keep an eye on members who aren’t cooperating.
“All drivers should know that our task force will be all over Ibadan, and if any driver puts on the Bolt app during our strike period, he or she would bear the consequences of their action. Be sure to waste that expensive fuel you bought”, they said.
“You have been warned in your own best interest. This time around we must achieve our goals, join the movement today and tell your riders to save your contact for offline rides during this period. You can work as much as you go offline but nothing must be done on the app for the app companies to get any commission. We have the power, we own the cars, we do the job, and there is no app company without us! Let them know this and hear this loud and clear”, the statement concluded.
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