Drivers on the platforms of Uber, Bolt, and InDrive are considering more drastic actions, including picketing the offices of the e-hailing companies, should their 3-day strike fail to yield positive results. This comes as the management of the platforms has remained silent even as the strike action entered its third day.

According to executives of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), the drivers would use every civil means until their demands are met. Among other demands, the drivers are calling for an immediate upward review of fares to reflect the current costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and inflation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nairametrics, AUATON Vice President, South West, Mr. Aina Kolawole, said the union had explored all peaceful means of resolution to no avail before embarking on the strike action. “Before now, we have written series of letters to all of them (Uber, Bolt, and InDrive), they acknowledged our letters, but that was where it ended,” he said.

Asked about the next line of action after the 3-day strike, Kolawole stated, “The next is to picket their offices and disrupt their operations. We will use every legal means to make sure they listen to us.”

Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of AUATON, added that the ride-hailing platforms have been exploiting drivers for years, creating a false impression to the public that drivers are making substantial income. “Majority of us are Masters’ holders, but because of the situation of the country, we are using this opportunity to make sure we are not doing anything fraudulent. But we can’t be doing this without any dignity. These people will tell the public that we are making N200,000 per day, which is far from the reality. A lot of us cannot even fuel our car,” he said.

Regarding compliance with the strike action, which requires drivers in Lagos and Ogun states to stay off the apps, Kolawole reported achieving at least 70% compliance. “Our business is an open business; it is almost impossible to get 100% compliance. But I can tell you that we have achieved 70 to 75% compliance,” he said.

Kolawole mentioned that the union is not being overly strict in enforcing compliance due to understanding that many drivers rely on daily income, but this will not deter them from achieving their goals.

As the drivers’ strike action entered its third day, neither the management of Uber, Bolt, nor InDrive had issued any official statement. However, in a brief response to Nairametrics, an Uber spokesperson stated that the company remains open to engaging with the drivers. “Drivers are at the heart of our business, and we remain committed to engaging constructively with them through regular roundtable discussions. Uber operates an incredibly large and dynamic marketplace, but it only works when it works for all users – riders and drivers. Aligning our joint interests is a fundamental principle in how we run our platform,” the spokesperson said.

This response did not directly address the drivers’ concerns or their demand for an increase in fares.