Drivers set to ditch Uber, Bolt for indigenous ride-hailing companies

The Professional E-Hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA) has announced a partnership with indigenous ride-hailing companies as replacements for Uber and Bolt.

In April, the association had demanded that Uber and Bolt increase ride fares to reflect the nation’s economic realities.

Idris Shonuga, national president of PEDPA, told NAN in Lagos on Tuesday that the two companies, namely Active Rides and My Cab, will charge a lesser commission from drivers.

“These indigenous app companies would work with the templates and provide drivers with a good welfare package for riders’ satisfaction,” he said.

“This will enable the union to protect the collective interests of the drivers as decisions can now be jointly taken and approved before it is binding on both parties.”

He explained that Uber and Bolt charge 20 percent commission on ride fares, but Active Rides will charge 15 percent commission on each trip.

“And out of the 15 percent, five percent is dropped into the driver’s cooperative wallet and can be accessed for a quick fix,” Shonuga said.

“This means that with the 10 per cent commission taken by Active Ride, drivers can now earn more and even save.

“They can now have a good maintenance routine which in turn translate to better customer service delivery.”

Shonuga urged the public to support the indigenous ride-sharing companies for better working conditions and improved e-hailing services to contribute to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He also said the new locally developed ride-sharing apps would allow riders to be adequately profiled as they would input their photographs at the point of registration, which will be displayed for riders to see.

On his part, Ajayi Ayodeji, managing director of Active Rides, said proper profiling of drivers would help curtail insecurity in the industry.
Ayodeji said the reduced commission of 15 percent would enable drivers to make more money.

“They can now have a good maintenance routine which in turn translate to better customer service delivery,” he added.