Uber, Bolt drivers want fares increased, threaten strike

The e-cab operators, under the aegis of Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), have threatened to embark on an industrial action from Monday April 19 over low fares and condition of service.

National President of PEDPA, Idris Shonuga, who spoke at a news conference in Lagos, called for immediate upward review of e-cab fares to reflect the current economic reality in the country.

He also demanded adequate welfare package for drivers and compensation for the families of those that lost their lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty.

He said over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions were done through Uber and Bolt platforms.

Shonuga also said that more than 15 drivers had lost their lives, while some had been permanently disabled in accidents in the course of the service.

More than 20 others had also lost their lives through kidnapping or killed by ritualists without any compensation from the operators, the association said.

Shonuga said that the association was considering taking legal action to seek remedies against the e-hailing companies if their demands were not met.

He said that the companies had refused to review its pricing despite unprecedented increases in the price of fuel, vehicles spare parts, food items, and other essential commodities in the country.

“In a quest to work and harmoniously at resolving some issues, the association wrote several letters to the companies which were not attended to, showing nonchalant attitude towards our plight.

“Your companies have failed, refused and neglected to honour our request for a meeting to discuss issues beneficial to all e-hailing drivers in Nigeria.”

“Instead of fixing a new and reasonable fare in line with inflation, the companies have recklessly continued to maintain the low fare, thereby, impoverishing hard-working young Nigerians who are diligently and lawfully trying to make a decent living,” Shonuga said.