inDrive kicks out Lagos driver for demanding extra money from rider for air conditioning

Leading e-hailing company, inDrive says it has deactivated a Lagos e-hailing driver who demanded extra fee for putting on the air conditioning during a ride. The company disclosed this in response to a Technext query into the matter.

Technext reported that the male driver and his female passenger clashed in front of Victory Estate in Lagos. In a video which made the round, the irate rider could be seen challenging the driver to justify his demand of an extra 900 naira on the trip. She specifically said she booked the ride on inDrive and chided the company for the bad behaviour of drivers on their platform.

Reacting to the incident, the taxi-hailing app company expressed deep concern about the incident and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for unethical driver behaviour. Responding to a Technext query, Public Relations Manager of inDrive Africa, Lineo Thakhisi said the company has already removed the driver off its platform as part of its investigation.

“Demanding additional fees beyond the agreed fare is unacceptable and goes against our commitment to fairness and transparency. We are actively investigating this matter further, and have taken decisive actions, including the immediate removal of the driver from the platform and reaching out to the passenger to offer support,” Thakhisi said.

Recall that in a video circulated on social media, the visibly shaken rider, a yet-to-be-identified woman, could be seen yelling at the driver, asking why she has to pay more than the prescribed fee for the ride to enjoy the benefit of air conditioning that should normally come with any e-hailing ride.

She also questioned why the driver would drop her in front of her estate gate rather than take her home because she refused to pay the additional charges.

“My ride is 8,100 naira, you are telling me for you to on AC for me I will pay you 9,000 naira, how? I don’t understand. From where? Ride is 8,100 naira, why is your driver telling me for him to on AC for me I will pay him 9000 naira. Why? inDriver why? Your drivers are something else. Every day they are complaining about your drivers, every single day. Now, your driver dropped me in front of my estate, telling me that he will not take me inside if I don’t pay him 9,000 naira. This is where he will drop me. Who does that?” she shouted.

In his defence, the adamant driver claimed they both had an agreement that beyond the fare agreed on the app, the lady would pay him extra for the ride.

“I tell you abi I no tell you? Enter the car let me take you back to where I picked you from. You don’t want me to make money?” the driver replied in pidgin.

No AC rides is becoming the norm and not just on inDrive

This is coming as e-hailing drivers continue to look for possible means of increasing their earnings amid the skyrocketing cost of fuel and rising inflation.

With app companies reluctant to raise fares in consonance with the rising costs for fear of losing customers, the drivers appear to be taking matters into their own hands by physically negotiating higher fares and refusing to put on the air conditioning to save fuel.

In a recent report, Technext highlighted the trend of offline negotiations and AC-less rides that have become commonplace in Southern Nigeria. Indeed, Bolt drivers in the Southern cities of Calabar and Uyo have made it a policy to put off their air-conditioning during trips. This was disclosed by several riders who used e-hailing services while in those cities.

According to the passengers, the drivers also negotiate their fares, usually double what was quoted on the app. One passenger, Ola Dami narrated how he finally agreed to pay nearly double the fare of what was indicated in the app only to be told the double fare does not include air conditioning.

“Do you know that if you book a ride in Calabar, they will not put on the AC for you even after negotiating the price offline? I have ordered twice in Calabar. When the driver comes they will negotiate the price and they will still not put on the AC. I was shocked because in Lagos drivers beg you to put off their AC and if you refuse, they will leave it on,” Ola said.

See also: Bolt passengers in Calabar, Uyo endure sweaty rides as drivers switch off air conditioning

Stakeholders are eager to see what policy direction the ride-hailing companies will adopt in response to the offline negotiation and no AC trends since they reduce the premium quality of rides promised by the e-hailing companies.

inDrive appears to be putting its foot down in the face of both trends that are getting increasingly popular by the day. In its response to Technext, PRO for Africa, Lineo Thakhisi also encouraged passengers to report incidents of that nature through the app.

“We strongly encourage passengers to report any similar incidents through our app so that we can address them promptly and maintain a safe, fair experience for everyone,” Thakhasi said.