By Victoria Onehi
To help cushion the effect of the recent increase in fuel prices and inflation rate,Uber Nigeria has announced an increase in fares to help drivers.
A statement attributed to Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria Tope Akinwumi, disclosed that the fare adjustment is designed to help drivers cover rising operating costs and is part of the ongoing efforts to support their driver community.
“Drivers are at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to work on initiatives and engage with drivers to help make Uber the app of choice for drivers while maintaining an affordable service for riders.
“Following an in-depth review of the current fuel subsidy removal, Uber updated fares on the 3rd and 9th of June on the app to reflect existing economic conditions.
“We believe these changes have helped better support drivers in increasing their earning opportunities. Furthermore, we lowered the service fee in February 2022 from 25% to 20% to help enable better-earning opportunities for drivers.
“We want the best for drivers who operate on the Uber platform and frequently engage with them directly through roundtables, surveys, phone, and in-app channels to better understand and receive feedback on the realities they face in their businesses,” Akinkunmi said.
Also, the company said that it is constantly monitoring local dynamics to see what changes can be implemented and when.
Uber also disclosed that its service fee ensures the running of the Uber App and helps it maintain and make continuous investments to enhance its technology designed to meet the needs of riders and drivers.
The company claimed that drivers on its platform earn more than other ride-hailing platforms in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) had threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, over failure of the app-based companies to negotiate and accede to its demands.
