Recently, an up-and-coming musician shared how an inDrive driver attacked her. Going by her report, the driver allegedly whipped her with the strap of her handbag, which he had torn before smashing her sunglasses. All of this was because of an argument over the wrong location.
Before then, Technext had broken the story of an inDrive rider who was assaulted in her estate by her driver after she refused to pay the full fare because there was no air conditioning.
After that, there was the lady who was robbed, stabbed in the face and left for dead by a driver she had picked up on the same platform in the middle of the night. She was saved by a bike man who dropped her bleeding in front of her estate gate. inDrive denied this incident, stating that the ride did not occur on its platform.
Indeed, it seems to be a case of one week, one trouble for the ride-hailing platform that has become increasingly popular due to its low fares.
Interestingly, the three major ride-hailing companies (Uber, Bolt and inDrive) largely do not have exclusive drivers. Thus, it is the same set of drivers operating across them. But comparatively, there are fewer reports of unprofessionalism or assault on Uber and Bolt.
Indeed, the reported driver of the first incident was driving a Suzuki Espresso, a Moove car that was supposed to be operating exclusively on the Uber app.
Hence, it appears that these drivers usually display unruly and violent behaviour only. while operating on inDrive.
The big question is: why are drivers mostly unruly on the platform?
Responding to that query, the company said it could not speculate on why drivers behave unprofessionally on its platform.
“While we cannot speculate on individual motivations behind such actions, we remain committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone. This is why we immediately investigate reports of misconduct and, where necessary, remove individuals who breach our guidelines,” the company said.
But, there are other answers:
Poor driver profiling and training, profiteering
To better understand the reason for the rising spate of driver-on-rider violence on inDrive, Technext carried out a small investigation involving driver representatives and inDrive. The drivers generally agree that the platform tacitly breeds unprofessional behaviours.
One of the biggest culprits is a lack of proper profiling and verification by the company.
“The rising trend of driver indiscipline on inDrive is a pressing concern that requires attention from the company. inDrive’s lax approach to driver profiling and verification creates an environment where drivers feel anonymous and unaccountable,” says Steven Iwindoye, the PRO of the Lagos Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).
He noted that ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Bolt, and Lagride have more robust security features and rating systems. These include profiling drivers to international standards and ensuring drivers meet rigorous verification and background check requirements.
He added that they also implement an effective rating system, which allows passengers and drivers to rate each other, thus promoting accountability and mutual respect.
inDrive has become the most popular ride-hailing choice for many, more than the big two that came before, Uber and Bolt. Its popularity stems from its cheaper pricing. Hence, it became the darling for riders seeking alternatives to survive the severe economic hardship.
Because of increasing demand, the app has become the top choice for many Drivers, who are grappling with a trade that is getting increasingly less lucrative.
Yet, it is clear that only two sets of players are truly happy with the arrangement: the riders and the company. The drivers, however, believe they are receiving the short end of the stick, and this is making them frustrated..
“Their prioritization of commission over driver welfare is one reason why drivers operating there are frustrated. inDrive’s focus on generating revenue and traffic on their platform leads them to prioritize rider demands over driver concerns, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem,” the AUATON PRO said.
He also blamed poor driver engagement and training, insisting that the company does not provide regular training and education programs for drivers to promote safe and respectful driving practices.
The way forward
As a way forward, the AUATON chief recommended that inDrive should implement a better system that will prioritise rigorous background checks and verification processes for drivers.
He also advocated for an improved rating system, which will take into account the driver behavior and passenger feedback. He further advised that the company recognized the importance of drivers as partners and prioritised their concerns and welfare.
Finally, he recommended the adjustment of trip fares to reflect the true costs of individual trips. This will ensure that drivers are fairly compensated.
Consequently, he suggested that the ridiculous pricing system on the app must be taken off: riders should be prevented from making requests at prices below the cost price of individual trips.
“inDrive must take immediate action to address the issue of driver indiscipline on their platform. By implementing proper profiling, improving the rating system, and prioritizing driver welfare, inDrive can create a more balanced and respectful ecosystem for all stakeholders. Failure to do so may lead to drivers abandoning the platform, ultimately affecting the company’s bottom line,” he said
See also: Drivers boycott inDrive app, from April 1, to protest low fares, underpayment
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