Gig drivers ask customers to ‘pay extra or cancel’ despite fare increases from Uber, Bolt

Drivers working with ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are increasing the prices they charge customers due to recent fuel price hikes. In Abuja, Nigeria, drivers are adding extra fees ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦2,000 on top of the app’s suggested prices, citing that the current rates are unsustainable for them.

Some drivers are demanding significantly higher fares, refusing trips below a certain amount unless customers agree to pay more. This shift has been prompted by rising fuel costs and minimal responses from the ride-hailing companies.

To address the challenges faced by drivers, companies are implementing slight base fare increases and offering new incentives to drivers to help offset their rising expenses.

As drivers struggle to maintain their earnings, they are opting for longer trips and informing customers upfront about the necessity of higher fares.

The ongoing fuel price increases and inflation have further intensified the financial pressure on gig drivers, leading to a growing demand for fare adjustments.

Ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt have responded by raising base fares by 13% and 15%, respectively, acknowledging the vital role of drivers in providing quality service to customers. InDrive also adjusted prices in response to feedback from both drivers and passengers.

Despite these fare increases, drivers like Olakunle are expressing concerns that the adjustments are not sufficient to cover the 47% increase in fuel costs they are facing.

Due to the economic strain, drivers are experiencing a decrease in the number of trips they can complete in a day, impacting their overall earnings. This has led to some customers reconsidering their use of ride-hailing services due to the surge in prices.

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