Fare Adjustment to Combat Dwindling Income
E-Hailing drivers in Edo state have announced a 50% increase on their fares above the official prices listed on the Uber and Bolt apps. This decision was communicated by Comrade Russell Eghaghe, the chairman of the Edo State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).
The fare hike is scheduled to take effect on Saturday, November 15, and is aimed at improving driver earnings, which have been significantly reduced by the official ride-hailing app rates.
“The 50% price increase on all e-hailing rides will officially commence on the 15th of this month (November). This adjustment is aimed at improving our earnings and ensuring better value for our time and service,” the chairman stated.
Addressing Perceptions of Greed and Unfairness
In response to concerns about the fairness of an increase that deviates from app-set prices, Comrade Eghaghe highlighted the broader economic context. He argued that it is unfair for e-hailing drivers to be labeled as greedy when they adjust their prices to reflect rising costs, while other sectors are permitted to do the same.
He pointed out the daily price increases experienced by Nigerians across various essential goods and services, including fuel, food, rent, and spare parts. He also noted that landlords raise rents without hesitation, and traders adjust commodity prices daily, while the government increases VAT and import duties. Eghaghe further accused e-hailing companies like Bolt of quietly increasing their commissions without driver consent to meet their own financial targets.
The chairman emphasized that while other businesses are allowed to raise prices as a survival mechanism, e-hailing drivers face accusations of greed and insensitivity when they attempt to do the same. He described this disparity as deeply unfair.
“When e-hailing drivers decide to increase their ride fares just to stay afloat, suddenly it becomes a problem. Suddenly, people say, ‘They want to kill the market.’ How fair is that? Are drivers not part of the same society that suffers these economic changes? Are we not human beings with families to feed, bills to pay, and cars to maintain? It is heartbreaking that when others increase prices, it is called ‘adjustment’, but when drivers do the same, it is called ‘greed.’ This double standard must stop,” the chairman asserted.
Survival and Sustainability for Drivers
Edo state's e-hailing drivers are described as hardworking individuals struggling with escalating fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and numerous deductions. The fare increase is presented not as an act of exploitation, but as a necessary measure for survival and to ensure fairness. It is also intended to enable drivers to continue providing safe and reliable services without facing financial ruin due to an imbalanced system.
“Every sector has adjusted to meet the times, including the very platforms that drivers operate under. So why should drivers be denied that same right? We call on all riders, partners, and the general public to understand that this adjustment is not against you; it is for the sustainability of the service you depend on. When drivers are treated fairly, everyone benefits. Let fairness lead. Let understanding guide. Because survival is not a sin,” he concluded.
Precedent Set by Other States
This move by Edo state drivers follows similar actions taken by e-hailing drivers in other Nigerian cities. In 2024, drivers in Abuja established a new price per kilometre at 450 naira. Earlier this year, Technext reported on e-hailing drivers in Abeokuta raising their fares by up to 200%, citing that Uber and Bolt's pricing models in the city do not allow drivers to generate sufficient revenue to cover operational costs.
One driver shared his financial struggles: “I barely make N20,000 on an average day. And, I am expected to fuel the car, maintain it and take care of myself from that. This month alone, I spent over N80,000 on replacing shock absorbers alone.”
More recently, drivers in Rivers State implemented a 50% fare increase to ensure a decent living wage. Comrade Amos Omoruyi, the Rivers State chairman of the union, expressed full support for the collective action, stating:
“The decision to apply a 50% fare adjustment is a fair, reasonable, and united step towards sustainability and economic balance for all drivers in Rivers State. We appeal to the good people of Port Harcourt, our esteemed riders and passengers, to understand and support this decision, as it is not a protest, but a survival measure driven by the realities of today’s economy.”
Union's Stance on Platform Authority
Following the fare increase in Rivers State, Bolt threatened to permanently deactivate drivers found charging fares higher than those agreed upon in the app. In response, the national wing of the union, through its spokesperson Comrade Jossy Adaraniwon, asserted that Bolt and other e-hailing platforms lack the authority to set fares on behalf of drivers.
“Bolt does not have the mandate or authority of app-based workers to pre-fix or set a default trip fare for either a dynamic or negotiated model app. We view their continuous fixing of prices as oppressive, unfair and unacceptable, and this will no longer be tolerated. We are the transporters, and we are the ones who know the right fares for the services we render, without overburdening the riders too. They should only negotiate their commission with us, not fix our prices,” the union declared.