Drivers using the ride-hailing platform Bolt are planning a major protest after the company slashed fares by 50%. Many say the drastic cut threatens their livelihoods, leaving them unable to cover fuel, vehicle maintenance, and daily expenses.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Chapter, condemned Bolt’s decision, calling it “unsustainable” for drivers. “This drastic reduction in earnings has severe negative impacts on all AUATON members, who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Steven Iwindoye, the union’s public relations officer.
Drivers argue that the fare reduction comes at a time when Nigeria’s economic conditions are already tough. With inflation at 28.9% in December 2024 and fuel prices more than doubling in the past year, they say their earnings are no longer enough to survive.
Iwindoye accused ride-hailing companies of continuously cutting prices without considering drivers’ welfare. “We have endured years of unfair pricing practices. This latest move is the final straw,” he said.
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Many drivers have also pointed to the rise in vehicle maintenance costs. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the average cost of engine repairs increased by 42% in 2024. “If fares keep dropping while costs keep rising, how do we survive?” a Lagos-based Bolt driver asked.
The union has warned that if Bolt does not reverse the fare cut, thousands of drivers will take to the streets in protest. “We call on all drivers, regardless of union affiliation, to stand together and reject these unfair conditions,” Iwindoye urged.
Some drivers, however, remain hesitant to join the protest, fearing they may lose their only source of income. But AUATON insists that collective action is the only way to force ride-hailing companies to reconsider their pricing policies.
Although no official protest date has been announced, AUATON is mobilizing drivers across Lagos. The union hopes that growing pressure will push Bolt to rethink its decision and ensure fairer earnings for drivers.
