Bolt, inDrive Drivers Lament Rising Costs, Poor Earnings
By Dim Oba, LAGOS – Ride-hailing drivers operating on Bolt and inDrive have lamented rising operating costs, saying earnings from long hours of work are increasingly insufficient to cover fuel, vehicle maintenance and family expenses.
One of the drivers said he spent ₦80,000 on fuel and worked throughout the night but earned only ₦60,000, leaving him with a deficit before accounting for other expenses.
“I bought fuel worth ₦80,000 and worked all night yesterday as a Bolt and inDrive driver. All I made was ₦60,000, leaving me with nothing to take home to feed my family,” he said.
The driver, who said he had four children and a wife to support, explained that he also had to pay school fees, provide food for his family and maintain his vehicle.
He lamented that the current fare structure was becoming unsustainable, with fuel and maintenance costs eroding drivers’ earnings.
The concerns highlight the financial pressures facing some ride-hailing drivers, who must meet daily household needs while covering the operational expenses of their vehicles.
The driver’s account has renewed attention to the need to examine the relationship between trip fares, fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs to ensure that drivers can earn a sustainable income from the platforms.
