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Tag: Uber

  • Drivers threaten to boycott Uber, others

    Drivers threaten to boycott Uber, others

    The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Council, has urged  ride-hailing service  providers to adjust fares  in favour of drivers to reflect  the present economic  realities.

    The Lagos State Public Relations Officer of AUATON, Mr Steven Iwindoye, made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Iwindoye described as unfair and insensitive to drivers’ plight, low fares imposed by the app-based companies such as Indrive, Rida and Uber.

    “They are drastically undevaluing our services. For instance, when a trip that should rightfully cost ₦5,000 is reduced to ₦2,000 at the rider’s discretion, it is an insult to our profession and must not be tolerated.

    “There should be a  minimum fare benchmark for riders to negotiate within, rather than the current situation where fares are slashed to exploitative levels.

    “The continuous price slashes and unfair treatment of drivers by ride-hailing companies have pushed drivers to a breaking point,” he said.

    He said that  cars for the transport were owned, managed and fuelled by the drivers, adding that the companies had no right to  reduce fares to unreasonable levels without  consulting the drivers.

    “The cost of living has skyrocketed – cost of  fuel, spare parts,  vehicle maintenance, rent, food are high; weekly remittances to partners, school fees and even tyre replacements have gone up.

    “It is only logical for drivers to expect an upward fare review. The only viable solution is for all drivers to unite, take a stand, and boycott any app-based company that refuses to listen to our grievances.

    “We, therefore, call on all drivers, regardless of union affiliation, to participate in the upcoming protest and join the massive boycott against Indrive, Rida, and Uber,” he said.

  • LASG to sanction Uber for non-adherence to data sharing agreement

    LASG to sanction Uber for non-adherence to data sharing agreement

    The Lagos State Government is set to sanction Uber Technologies System Nigeria Ltd., for failure to comply with essential data sharing agreement.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

    Osiyemi said the move to sanction Uber was propelled by an unyielding commitment to the safety and security of its residents.

    He expressed deep dismay at Uber’s continuous defiance of established regulations, particularly regarding critical Application Programme Interface (API) integration for enhanced safety and security.

    Osiyemi noted that this was an alarming violation in spite of the ongoing efforts to maintain a secured and regulated transportation environment.

    He also underscored the non-negotiable nature of the API integration, emphasising its vital role in enabling real-time data sharing for government monitoring and accountability during active trips.

    “This is essential for fostering a secured and regulated transportation ecosystem for the well-being of all Lagos State residents.

    “Immediate corrective action is imperative to rectify Uber’s non-compliance with the Data Sharing Agreement and API integration of the state,” he said.

    He urged Uber to urgently seek resolution within the established regulatory framework.

    The commissioner further stated that non-compliance would result in stern sanctions in strict accordance with the state laws and regulations.

    He also advised Uber users to take caution as the sanction when in place would equally affect their operations.

  • Fuel subsidy removal: Means of survival a state of hopelessness for our members – Uber, Bolt drivers

    Fuel subsidy removal: Means of survival a state of hopelessness for our members – Uber, Bolt drivers

    The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) have called on the FG to review the removal of fuel subsidy which they say has increased hardships for their members.

    The union in a statement by its chairman Media and Publicity Committee, Jossy Olawale, said that the app companies had refused to adjust fare prices to profit the workers.

    They also claimed that with the removal of subsidy app-based transport workers are “ subsidizing” their own transport fares.

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

    They added that the removal of subsidy has left members in a state of hopelessness, citing that their members across Nigeria were predominantly unemployed graduates, who could not find jobs as a result of the rate of unemployment in the country.

    “However, the means of survival is now a state of hopelessness for our members, whose daily operational cost is largely dependent on petrol.”

  • #EndSARS: Court orders LASG to pay assaulted Uber driver N5m (VIDEO)

    #EndSARS: Court orders LASG to pay assaulted Uber driver N5m (VIDEO)

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Lagos State Government (LASG) and the Nigeria Police (NPF) to pay an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, the sum of N5 million as compensation.

    Clement was allegedly assaulted by officials of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and the Nigeria Police Force during the first anniversary of #EndSARS on October 20, 2021, at the Lekki Toll-Gate while he was carrying a passenger from the Island to the Mainland and was intercepted by the officials.

    Following the pandemonium that ensued after policemen and the officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency fired tear-gas canisters to disperse the peaceful protesters and arrested many of them, Clement temporarily abandoned his car like other motorists and ran for his life.

    But, by the time he returned to pick up his car, he was accosted, dragged, tortured and manhandled by the officers who refused to listen to his entreaties that he was an Uber driver and only wanted to retrieve his car.

    #EndSARS: Court orders LASG to pay assaulted Uber driver N5m

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that the assault was captured on video which went viral on social media and it was also reported by media houses.

    In their attempt to forcefully put him inside the vehicle of the Lagos State Task Force otherwise called Black Maria, the officials of the Lagos State Government in connivance with the police officers also used pepper spray on Clement who cried for help.

    Following public condemnation that trailed the viral incident, Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist, Mr Inibehe Effiong, took up the case and sued the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, the Attorney General of Lagos, and the Nigeria Police Force.

    While delivering judgement on Tuesday, in the fundamental rights case with Suit Number: FHC/CS/1862/2021, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa held that the treatment meted on the applicant amounted to a violation of his right to dignity and awarded the sum of N5 million as damages.

    The court condemned the torture of Clement by officials of the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force.

    #EndSARS: Court orders LASG to pay assaulted Uber driver N5m
    Adedotun Clement

    The applicant’s counsel, Effiong, in his reaction to the judgement, expressed appreciation to the court for upholding the rights of his client.

    Effiong also called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu, to comply with the judgement and pay the compensation in line with his public declaration that he had compensated victims connected with the EndSARS, and to reassure Lagosians that he believes in human rights.

    Watch the UBER driver’s torture below

  • Police nab two posing as Uber drivers, withdrawing N2.4m from passenger’s account

    Police nab two posing as Uber drivers, withdrawing N2.4m from passenger’s account

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two men, Sunday Gabriel, 29, and 24-year old Kenneth Agbehi posing as Uber drivers to rob unsuspecting passengers in some parts of the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Lawal, who disclosed this during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Ikeja on Monday, March 14, 2022, said the suspects held a female victim hostage on February 27, around 8 pm and robbed her of an ATM card, cash and other valuable items.

    According to the police spokesman, the suspects were tracked down on Victoria Island and a locally-made pistol as well as their operational vehicles recovered from them.

    “The suspects thereafter unlawfully withdrew the sum of N2,400,000 from the victim’s bank account.

    “Following diligent investigation carried out by police operatives, the suspects were nabbed in their hideout on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island where they were planning another operation.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and several others they had committed earlier.

    “Exhibits recovered from them include: one locally-made pistol, three live cartridges, one Toyota Camry with registration number AHL 571 FE and one Toyota Corolla saloon car with registration number EPE 32 GG.

    “The suspects are in police custody,” the command’s spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu said.

  • Uber, Bolt operators to be probed for tax compliance in Nigeria

    Uber, Bolt operators to be probed for tax compliance in Nigeria

    The House of Representatives has resolved to setup an ad hoc committee to investigate the level of compliance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aided Transport Companies with the country’s extant tax laws.

    The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Ganiyu Abiodun (APC-Lagos state) at plenary on Thursday.

    Moving the motion, Abiodun said that in the global economy, ICT was often regarded as a strategic tool for achieving success and competitiveness in organisations.

    “In recent times, ICT has had significant impacts on the way organisations operate, as it offers tremendous opportunities such as storing, processing, retrieving, disseminating and sharing of information,” he said.

    The rep said that ICT has made transportation business very accessible, cheaper and lucrative especially in the urban areas.

    “ICT has created many job opportunities for unemployed persons as the people’s desire for comfortable ride services have enabled companies such as Bolt and Uber spread widely across the country.

    “Many transportation activities now occur through online booking and payments which make the ordering of the services easier and efficient.

    “Informed that the average weekly earnings of Bolt and Uber drivers are about 60,000 to 120,000 while the companies take off 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively as commission from the earnings of each driver operating on their platforms.

    “Cognisant that the companies have benefited from facilities of the Federal Government such as road and security network which grants them ease of doing business, thus they ought to be fully accountable and up to date in tax remittances,” he said.

    He said it was not clear whether the companies were fully compliant with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, considering that the services were online.

    In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the house , Rep. Ahmed Wase said that the committee, when constituted was expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

  • Uber, Bolt drivers threaten strike on Monday

    Uber, Bolt drivers threaten strike on Monday

    Some Uber and Bolt e-cab drivers in Lagos on Saturday asked the e-hailing companies to immediately increase fares being charged by the operators, failing which they would go off the roads on Monday.

    The e-cab operators, under the aegis of Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), threatened to embark on the strike if their demands were not met.

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

    According to Shonuga, over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions are consummated through Uber and Bolt platforms.

    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 was 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.

    “And to fashion a harmonious relationship that will benefit, dignify and improve the standard of living of e-hailing drivers, private car owners and the general standard of e-hailing business in the country.

    “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.

    The e-cab operators also demanded adequate welfare package for drivers and compensation to the families of those that lost their lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty,

    The association 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 have 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.

  • Uber regains licence in London after protracted legal battle

    Uber regains licence in London after protracted legal battle

    Uber has won a legal bid to restore its London operating licence which was taken away over safety concerns, after a judge ruled on Monday that the company was a fit and proper operator in spite of “historical failings”.

    Transport for London (TfL) refused to grant the Silicon Valley-based company a new licence in 2019 due to what it called a “pattern of failures”, including thousands of trips conducted where drivers other than those advertised picked up passengers.

    Uber argued it has since assuaged concerns by improving insurance document verification systems and rolling out real-time identification.

    The U.S. Company was also denied a licence by TfL in 2017, in a major blow in one of its most important markets, before it was restored on a probationary basis.

    “I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more,” Judge Tan Ikram said on Monday.

    “In spite of their historical failings, I find them, now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London… operator’s licence,” he said, granting an 18-month right to take rides.

    Uber, which has apologised for mistakes it has made, has run into backlashes and regulatory challenges elsewhere, including in its home state of California.

    Shares in Uber rose 6 per cent in pre-market U.S. trading after the decision.

    “This decision is a recognition of Uber’s commitment to safety and we will continue to work constructively with TfL,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s boss for Northern and Eastern Europe, said.

    In London, it faces a number of rivals, including Ola, Freenow and Bolt.

    The city’s traditional black cab drivers have blocked streets in protest at what they see as a threat to their livelihoods.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also chairs TfL, warned Uber on Monday to stick to its obligations.

    “I can assure Londoners that TfL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers,” he said in a statement.

  • Uber granted 18-month London licence after legal battle

    Uber granted 18-month London licence after legal battle

    Uber has won a legal bid to restore its London operating licence which was taken away over safety concerns, after a judge ruled on Monday that the company was a fit and proper operator in spite of “historical failings”.

    Transport for London (TfL) refused to grant the Silicon Valley-based company a new licence in 2019 due to what it called a “pattern of failures”, including thousands of trips conducted where drivers other than those advertised picked up passengers.

    Uber argued it has since assuaged concerns by improving insurance document verification systems and rolling out real-time identification.

    The U.S. Company was also denied a licence by TfL in 2017, in a major blow in one of its most important markets, before it was restored on a probationary basis.

    “I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more,” Judge Tan Ikram said on Monday.

    “In spite of their historical failings, I find them, now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London… operator’s licence,” he said, granting an 18-month right to take rides.

    Uber, which has apologised for mistakes it has made, has run into backlashes and regulatory challenges elsewhere, including in its home state of California.

    Shares in Uber rose 6 per cent in pre-market U.S. trading after the decision.

    “This decision is a recognition of Uber’s commitment to safety and we will continue to work constructively with TfL,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s boss for Northern and Eastern Europe, said.

    In London, it faces a number of rivals, including Ola, Freenow and Bolt.

    The city’s traditional black cab drivers have blocked streets in protest at what they see as a threat to their livelihoods.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also chairs TfL, warned Uber on Monday to stick to its obligations.

    “I can assure Londoners that TfL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers,” he said in a statement.

  • Uber, Bolt drivers protest in Abuja

    Uber, Bolt drivers protest in Abuja

    Dozens of Uber and Bolt drivers are protesting in the nation’s capital Abuja against their service providers.

    The protesting drivers are calling for a review in charges for services, commissions, and proper profiling of users.

    The drivers insist that charges for services in Abuja remain the lowest when compared with other cities in the country.

    According to them, the current customer profiling method by Uber and Bolt puts their members in harm’s way.

    The drivers are however giving the operators of Uber and Bolts a seven-day ultimatum to address their demands or risk service withdrawal in the nation’s capital.