Uber Drivers are not working today in Abuja because they are on strike due to ‘a series of issues with the company’.
Media Reports reveal that attempts to resolve issues affecting both drivers and partners have been rebuffed by Uber thus the need for the drivers downing tools.
Some of the issues according to Gbenro Ogundipe, who is an Uber Partner in Abuja includes drivers getting robbed by riders, rides being improperly documented and absence of a clear communication channel.
Other demands according to media reports are:
– Rider identity verification through valid and matching credit/debit cards, due to security concerns.
– Detailed explanation of completion rate calculation, and the inclusion of completion rates in app/dashboard.
– Increased rider education through the app.
– Requirements for destinations to be entered by riders before they can make requests, so the rider is clear on fare estimate before the trip.
– Penalties for long waits after driver arrival at the pickup location.
– Increase in per minute rates to N30/min.
– Base fare increase to N300 (from N220).
– Airport fare increase to N4000 (from N3000) and the inclusion of N400 toll.
– Removal of peak hour conditions for high flier incentives.
– Rounding up of fares to the nearest N50.
– 24-hour limit to rider rating the driver.
– Clearer procedures for reporting and resolving issues
The partners, in a mail informing Uber of the strike, said,
“The economic changes we are experiencing has made some trips quite unprofitable, if not impracticable. The evident nonchalant attitude to our request is seen as further worsening an already difficult business situation for Partners. It re-emphasizes the perception that this is not a partnership.
“We have looked at our operations and decided to begin to trim off the inefficient trips. Partners have decided that starting Monday 31st October 2016, trips to and from the airport will not be completed.”
Uber is yet to reply. This may not come as a surprise as Nigeria is currently experiencing a recession coupled with the problems the ride-sharing app is encountering in other parts of Africa especially Kenya and other parts of the world.
