The ride-hailing company insists its platform is growing, not declining, and that its pricing model is fair to drivers.

Earlier, AUATON noted that drivers are abandoning inDrive due to poor security and low fares, but inDrive disagrees. The company asserts that it has not seen a decline in driver participation, instead, the number is increasing.

“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 company said.

The ride-hailing platform also dismisses the notion that its drivers are being coerced into accepting inadequate fares. It maintains that its bidding system—where drivers and riders negotiate a price—gives drivers full control over their earnings. 

“At inDrive, we operate a transparent model that prioritises driver autonomy and fair pricing.”

Unlike fixed-fare ride-hailing models, inDrive argues that its approach ensures fairness by letting drivers decide what they are willing to accept.

“Drivers retain complete control over their earnings and are never forced to accept fares that do not align with their expectations,” the statement read.

inDrive also points out that it charges the lowest service fee in Nigeria—9.99%—ensuring that drivers take home more earnings compared to competitors.

AUATON’s most damning claim is that inDrive has failed to protect drivers from violent attacks. The union alleges that the platform’s weak rider verification process has resulted in robberies, assaults, and even fatalities. 

However, inDrive’s response conspicuously sidesteps this issue. Nowhere in its statement does the company directly address the safety concerns raised by drivers.

While inDrive acknowledges the right of unions to protest, it did not engage with the core security complaints. There is no mention of whether the company plans to improve passenger verification, enhance driver protection, or address the risks that AUATON says have cost lives.

An important part of inDrive’s counterargument rests on the stated fact that its drivers are independent professionals, not union members. The company says that AUATON’s calls for a boycott do not show the reality of inDrive’s user base.

“We keep maintaining the freedom for drivers to earn on their terms with the chance to accept, negotiate higher, or skip a ride,” the statement reads.

The implication is that the so-called boycott may not be as effective as AUATON hopes. If most inDrive drivers do not belong to the union, they may choose to continue working despite the protests.

Timothy Oladimeji, inDrive’s country representative, stands by the company’s model, insisting it prioritises fairness for both drivers and riders.

“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,” he said.

The company also states it is open to discussions with stakeholders, regulators, and the media to “discuss the evolving ride-hailing landscape in Nigeria.”

AUATON’s members argue that they are already struggling with unsustainable fares. If drivers continue to feel exploited or unsafe, inDrive’s insistence on “business as usual” may not hold for long.

For now, AUATON won’t back down until real change happens. inDrive, on the other hand, is sticking to its model, convinced that drivers will keep signing up.

Who blinks first?

The union’s spokesperson, Steven Iwindoye, minced no words in his statement on Wednesday. He accused inDrive of failing to protect its drivers, exposing them to criminals who exploit the app’s weak verification process.

“InDrive’s failure to implement a robust security system has cost many drivers their lives. Criminals can easily access the platform by posing as passengers and attacking unsuspecting drivers,” he said.

AUATON claims that a number of drivers have been robbed, attacked, and even killed due to inDrive’s lax security measures. According to the union, without adequate background checks for riders, drivers are left vulnerable, picking up strangers without any real assurance of safety.

Beyond security issues, drivers are also fuming over inDrive’s fare system, which allows passengers to dictate ride prices. Iwindoye argued that this model forces drivers to accept unreasonably low fares, leaving them struggling to cover basic expenses.

“Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and other expenses have skyrocketed, yet inDrive allows passengers to dictate fares that barely cover our costs. We are being exploited, and we refuse to continue under such a system,” he said.

Some riders reportedly slash fares by as much as 50%, making it nearly impossible for drivers to earn a decent income. AUATON is demanding immediate changes, including a structured fare system that accounts for fuel prices and vehicle upkeep, as well as better support for drivers facing financial hardship.

The union has instructed all its members to stop using inDrive, aiming to bring operations in Lagos to a standstill until their demands are met.

“We call on the government and relevant regulatory agencies to intervene and ensure that inDrive operates transparently and safely,” Iwindoye added.

The move is expected to disrupt transportation for thousands of Lagos commuters who rely on the app for daily movement.

inDrive Responds

The company’s Africa spokesperson, Lineo Thakhisi, defended the platform’s policies, arguing that its model is built on fairness and flexibility.

“Unlike traditional ride-hailing models, inDrive allows drivers to set their own fares and negotiate directly with passengers. This ensures that drivers have greater control over their earnings,” she said.

She also noted that inDrive offers the lowest commission rates in Nigeria, allowing drivers to keep more of their earnings compared to other ride-hailing services.

On security, Thakhisi assured that the company has implemented trip verification, emergency assistance options, and a rating system to improve safety.

“We continuously assess and enhance these security measures to ensure a safer experience for all users,” she said. “We are open to constructive dialogue with drivers and unions.”

With both sides holding firm, the situation is tense. AUATON insists the boycott will continue until inDrive makes considerable changes, while inDrive maintains that its system is fair and secure.

Many drivers report that the current fare structure is inadequate to cover their expenses, with over ten operators reporting unstable income. 

They stress that an increase in fares is needed for the sustainability of the ride-hailing model, affirming the issues faced by gig drivers across Africa.

With fuel costs on the rise, drivers assert that the low base fares offered by inDrive are no longer viable. They shared instances of fare reductions, with one driver noting that a trip from the airport to Gaborone’s CBD, which used to cost P100 ($7.50), is now priced at only P50 ($3.70) on the app. 

Many drivers feel compelled to accept fares that are below their preferred levels, often negotiating minimal increases yet still feeling the impact of the low rates.

The situation has been worsened by inDrive’s recent implementation of a 10% commission fee on driver earnings, a departure from the no-commission model that had initially attracted many operators to the platform since its launch in Botswana in 2019. 

Drivers had anticipated that the introduction of this fee would be balanced by fare increases for passengers, but no adjustments have been made, leaving them to absorb the additional financial burden without any apparent support from the platform.

While inDrive defends its new commission structure as necessary for operational sustainability and further investment in Botswana, it claims not to have received formal complaints from drivers regarding the change. 

Nevertheless, operators believe their financial difficulties are evident. An inDrive representative stated, “We have made it clear to drivers that monetisation is essential for business sustainability.”

A distinctive feature of inDrive’s business model is the ability for riders and drivers to negotiate fares. While this provides some flexibility, drivers report that it frequently leads to lower earnings, especially when riders initiate negotiations with low offers. 

Many drivers find that riders are often unwilling to negotiate beyond the app’s suggested fare, forcing them to choose between accepting lower-paying rides or potentially losing business. 

Efforts to request additional payments beyond the quoted fare have sometimes resulted in negative ratings from riders.

Despite these challenges, inDrive recently announced plans to expand its services to Francistown, Botswana’s second-largest city, aiming to enhance its presence in the market. This expansion is expected to increase competition with Bolt, which has gained popularity since its launch.

The rivalry between these two platforms is likely to exert further pressure on fare structures as they compete for market share, a situation that may benefit riders while leaving drivers with even tighter margins.

The issues faced by inDrive drivers in Botswana affect other countries too, challenges encountered by ride-hailing operators across the continent, where high operational costs and platform fees continue to strain gig workers. 

In light of these circumstances, drivers are urging inDrive to reconsider its fare policies to facilitate a fairer environment, recognizing their important role in the success of the service.