Bolt, Uber drivers lament hardship over fuel hike

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) has expressed dismay over its members’ continuous hardship due to increased fuel pump prices.

According to reporters, the union disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement by its Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Jossy Olawale.

The drivers lamented that despite the increase in fuel price from N539 to N617 per litre, the driving app companies such as Bolt and Uber had refused to adjust fare prices to profit the workers.

According to the union, drivers live in hopelessness as their operations have soared at least 350 per cent without increasing profit.

“App-based transport workers in Nigeria are facing the worst hardship of their lives due to fuel subsidy removal and lack of ability to adjust our transport price anytime there is an increase in fuel price just the way other transporters can quickly adapt to the reality.

“The app companies Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Indriver and others fix the price and their commission, leaving the drivers to their losses; the situation of our drivers today is that we are the ones subsidising the transport fare for the riders in Nigeria,” the Union said.

News recalls that the Union had embarked on strike last month over a 200 per cent fare increase and other demands.

However, the union alleged that the driving App companies only implemented a 20 to 40 per cent fare hike.