Ride-hailing company Bolt has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with drivers and the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) over concerns about fares, commissions, welfare, and rising operating costs. The union had called on drivers to withdraw their services on Bolt and inDrive, citing issues with earnings, platform charges, and working conditions.
Bolt's Head of Regulatory and Policy for Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, stated that the company considers drivers central to the ride-hailing ecosystem and believes dialogue is the best way to resolve the dispute. The company acknowledged the economic pressures facing operators in Lagos' app-based transportation sector and recognised the important role drivers play in providing mobility services.
The union's call for a shutdown could affect commuters who rely on ride-hailing platforms for transportation in Lagos, where demand for app-based mobility is part of the wider urban transport system. Bolt has proposed a roundtable discussion with AUATON and driver representatives early next week to discuss concerns and explore practical measures to improve drivers' experience.
The planned engagement comes amid growing concerns over the economics of app-based transportation, where drivers must balance earnings against fuel, vehicle maintenance, repairs, platform commissions, and other operating expenses. Changes in operating costs can significantly affect drivers' income from each trip, leading to tension between drivers and the companies that connect them with passengers.
According to Aghadiuno, constructive engagement will provide an opportunity to identify workable solutions and strengthen relationships between drivers and the platforms on which they depend for income. The company intends to listen to drivers' concerns and explore practical measures to improve their experience while maintaining safe, reliable, and accessible transportation services for passengers.
The dispute highlights the challenges faced by drivers in the app-based transportation sector, who must navigate economic realities while providing mobility services. The outcome of the proposed engagement will depend on open communication, mutual understanding, and solutions that take into account the interests of drivers, passengers, and other participants in the mobility sector.
Whether the engagement produces meaningful changes will depend on the issues raised, the willingness of both parties to reach common ground, and any practical measures agreed upon to address drivers' concerns. For now, Bolt has signalled its willingness to negotiate, while the union's demands over earnings, commissions, and welfare remain central to the dispute.
Key points
- Bolt offers talks with drivers and union representatives over fares, commissions, and welfare.
- The union's call for a shutdown could affect commuters who rely on ride-hailing platforms for transportation in Lagos.
- The outcome of the proposed engagement will depend on open communication and mutual understanding between drivers, passengers, and other participants in the mobility sector.
