SOME operators of Bolt, an e-hailing service provider, have accused the company of ripping them off.
They accused the company of increasing its commission without notifying the operators.
Some drivers who spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent on Friday said the company has increased its charges from 20 to 25 per cent.
A driver who simply gave his name as Charles said the company should have considered the drivers while implementing their new price regime.
He added that it would have been of benefit to drivers and the company if the fares on trips were jerked up a little, adding that as it is, the drivers would bear the brunt.
Charles said, “We just noticed our trips were not correlating with the amount we usually earn. Then it was 20 per cent on each trip they charged as commission on Bolt. All of a sudden, it was increased to 25 per cent. There was no communication or any notice from them. Several complaints have been made to Bolt but they are yet to give us reasons for their actions.
“That five per cent is a lot. For instance, if they are taking N2, 000 for the whole day, it won’t be a problem, but you are deducting 25 per cent on each trip. We maintain our cars; spare parts are expensive, we fuel our cars, we do most of the work.
“What they are offering is just the platform. They increased the commission and the fare remains the same. We are not against the increase in commission; let it not be a loss on our part. I went to fix my fuel pump on Monday, the price has risen from N8,000 to N20,000.
“On the app at times, you see N20,000 and you would be surprised you may not have more than N8,000 from the N20, 000. This is after deducting their commission, they could remove like N5,000 as commission, now you are left with N15, 000.”
A female Bolt driver, who gave her name simply as Jenny said a lot of benefits that allowed them to earn more had been taken away by the e-hailing company.
She said, “What have drivers done to bolt? They came with a lot of incentives. All of them are no more. Initially they started with 15 per cent incentive; they were giving drivers promo as well as the customers.”
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