In response to the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) boycott, inDrive has denied claims that it takes advantage of drivers or jeopardises their safety.
The ride-hailing business maintains that its pricing structure is reasonable for drivers and that its platform is expanding rather than contracting. AUATON previously stated that drivers are leaving inDrive because of its low fares and inadequate security, but inDrive disputes this.
According to the corporation in a statement, the number of drivers participating has increased rather than decreased. It said: “Our data does not reflect a decline in driver participation—on the contrary, we continue to see an increase in the number of drivers joining our platform. Recent claims suggesting otherwise do not align with our observations.”
The idea that its drivers are being forced to take subpar fares is also denied by the company. It claims that drivers have complete control over their earnings thanks to its bidding mechanism, in which riders and drivers negotiate a price. It said: “At inDrive, we operate a transparent model that prioritises driver autonomy and fair pricing.”
Continuing, the company contends that by allowing drivers to choose what they are ready to take, its model assures fairness in contrast to fixed-fare ride-hailing methods. It revealed in the statement available to BrandSpur news brand: “Drivers retain complete control over their earnings and are never forced to accept fares that do not align with their expectations.”
Additionally, inDrive notes that it has the lowest service price in Nigeria (9.99%), which guarantees that drivers earn more than their rivals. The most severe accusation made by AUATON is that inDrive has not been able to shield drivers from violent attacks. The platform’s inadequate rider verification procedure, according to the union, has led to attacks, robberies, and even fatalities.
InDrive’s answer, however, noticeably avoids this problem. The business makes no mention of the safety issues brought up by drivers in its statement.
Despite acknowledging unions’ right to protest, inDrive chose not to address the main security concerns. No information is provided regarding the company’s initiatives to strengthen driver safety, increase passenger verification, or address the risks that AUATON claims have cost lives. InDrive’s counterargument heavily relies on the claim that its drivers are self-employed professionals rather than union members.
AUATON’s boycott calls, according to the corporation, don’t accurately reflect the size of inDrive’s user base.
The statement further stated: “We keep maintaining the freedom for drivers to earn on their terms with the chance to accept, negotiate higher, or skip a ride.”
This suggests that the boycott might not have the impact that AUATON had hoped for. The majority of inDrive drivers may decide to stay on the job despite the demonstrations if they are not union members.
The country representative for inDrive, Timothy Oladimeji, defends the company’s business model and maintains that it places a high priority on equity for both drivers and riders. He had this to say: “inDrive remains committed to providing a fair and flexible ride-hailing service where drivers and passengers have control over pricing. We stand by our transparent approach, ensuring that drivers always have the freedom to choose the fares that work best for them.”
The business adds that it is willing to “discuss the evolving ride-hailing landscape in Nigeria” with regulators, stakeholders, and the media. Members of AUATON contend that they are already having trouble with unsustainable fares.
InDrive may not be able to maintain “business as usual” for long if drivers continue to feel unsafe or exploited. For the time being, AUATON will not concede unless significant change occurs. Confident that drivers would continue to join up, inDrive, on the other hand, is sticking to its model.
