As the trend of extra fares continues to hold sway in the e-hailing industry, the Rivers state Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Amos Omoruyi, has declared that Bolt drivers charging extra fares from passengers should not be described as fraudulent.
The chairman made the declaration while addressing a claim made by the Funky 4, hosts of a radio show on Today FM 95.1, Port Harcourt. According to the statement, a guest and the presenter deliberately misrepresented the image of e-hailing drivers, particularly Bolt drivers, by labelling them as “fraudulent” for requesting top-ups from riders.
According to the chairman, the claims are not only false but are designed to malign drivers and bring them into disrepute.
“We find this assertion not only false but also reckless and damaging to the reputation of hardworking Nigerians who sacrifice daily to keep the e-hailing industry functioning despite unbearable economic realities,” Omoruyi said.
He further asserted that an e-hailing app like Bolt has not significantly adjusted its fare prices since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023. This is despite the fact that the cost of vehicle maintenance, fuel, spare parts, and general living expenses have skyrocketed in the meantime.
Because of these, many drivers have been forced out of the business because it is no longer sustainable under the company’s current pricing model. Rather than quit, other drivers took it upon themselves to keep making ends meet by negotiating their own fares.
“It is therefore important to make it clear: drivers are not fraudulent. They are fathers, mothers, youths, and breadwinners struggling to survive and sustain their families. The occasional request for top-ups is a direct consequence of Bolt’s refusal to implement fair and sustainable fares that reflect the true market realities,” he said.
Bolt, AUATON disagree over driver earnings
The issues around driver earnings have long been the subject of disagreement between app companies, especially Bolt, and the drivers’ union leadership. Bolt recently claimed that its top drivers earn a monthly average of ₦1,610,351. The company also disclosed that its top 50 drivers earned over ₦9.6 million in six months, an income which it says reinforces its industry-leading earning power, reflects its commitment to driver support, and reveals strong demand for e-hailing services.
“The earnings data reflect Bolt’s continued investment in driver support, incentive schemes, and operational improvements to ensure a rewarding experience for its driver community. These figures also highlight the growing demand for ride-hailing services in Nigeria, driven by increased urban mobility needs and rider trust in Bolt’s affordable, safe, and accessible services,” the company said.
See also: Bolt says top drivers earn N1.6 million monthly amid calls for improved welfare
In its rebuttal, the union condemned the company’s claim, insisting that such a notion is misleading in various aspects. The founding secretary of the union, Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim, challenged Bolt to show a breakdown of expenses. He went on to describe the claims as a “professional blunder and market misrepresentation” that has made drivers targets of robberies.
Similarly, some drivers who spoke with Technext said that the claim does not reflect the true average earnings of drivers on the platform, as drivers do not generally earn up to that amount
“Maybe they are referring to our colleagues abroad because I have never come close to that sum,” one driver said.
The cry for improved earnings is part of a wider call for overall improvement in the welfare of drivers. The Rivers state AUATON chairman, Amos Omoruyi, noted that the union has consistently demanded better working conditions from Bolt. He, however, complained that uninformed media narratives such as the one broadcast on Today FM 95.1 only serve to undermine our struggles and strengthen Bolt’s resistance to positive change.
“We hereby call on media practitioners, especially Today FM 95.1 and the host of the programme, Funky 4, to exercise greater responsibility, accuracy, and fairness when addressing issues affecting workers in the e-hailing industry. Misrepresentation will not silence us,” he said.
He also stated that if these persistent challenges within the e-hailing space are not urgently addressed, the union is prepared to embark on a nationwide strike action to press home drivers’ demands for dignity, fairness, and survival in this sector.
