Bolt Cracks Down on Port Harcourt Drivers Over 50% Fare Hike
Ride-hailing giant Bolt has drawn a hard line in Port Harcourt, warning that any driver caught charging riders beyond the app’s quoted price will be permanently removed from its platform.
The move follows reports that drivers in the Rivers State capital, under the umbrella of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), have resolved to increase fares by 50 per cent. Drivers argue that Bolt’s current pricing model no longer reflects the reality of rising fuel costs, car maintenance, and other daily expenses.
According to AUATON’s state task force chairman, Comrade Dennis, the decision was a collective stand for survival. He claimed that Bolt had reduced fares while increasing its commission, leaving drivers struggling to stay afloat.
“Drivers bear the full cost of operations — the car, data, fuel, maintenance, and risks — without any contribution from Bolt apart from connecting us to riders,” Comrade Dennis said.
“We’ve agreed to add 50% to all ride fares, except when there’s a 1.5x surge and above. This is about fair compensation and sustainability.”
For many drivers, this isn’t about defiance but about survival. Some say they barely make ₦20,000 on an average day, which must cover fuel, maintenance, and personal expenses. One driver shared that he spent ₦80,000 in a single month just to replace shock absorbers.
But Bolt is not backing down. In a strongly worded statement, the company described the fare hike as “unauthorized” and a violation of its operating policies.
“Any driver found charging riders outside the app or demanding extra payments beyond the agreed in-app fare will face immediate and permanent removal from the Bolt platform,” the company stated.
Bolt also noted that its app now includes a Price Bidding feature, which allows drivers to propose their own fares for each trip. The company insists that this feature already gives drivers enough flexibility to earn fairly, without the need for any off-app negotiations.
“The Price Bidding feature ensures fair and transparent pricing for both drivers and riders,” the statement read. “We remain committed to affordable, safe, and transparent mobility for all Nigerians.”
The tension in Port Harcourt mirrors a wider struggle playing out across Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector. At the heart of the conflict is a question of control. Drivers argue that companies like Bolt are merely digital marketplaces connecting riders and drivers, not employers, and therefore should not dictate fare structures. Bolt and Uber, however, insist that regulated pricing is essential to maintaining user trust and ensuring safe, predictable service.
Adding to the tension, Amos Omoruyi, chairman of the Rivers State AUATON, defended the drivers’ decision to raise fares, rejecting the notion that it was fraudulent.
“Bolt drivers charging beyond the app price should not be described as fraudulent. These claims are false and meant to malign hardworking drivers,” he said.
His comments reflect a growing frustration among drivers nationwide, people who feel trapped between increasing operational costs and rigid platform policies.
As both sides dig in, the streets of Port Harcourt may soon feel the effects: fewer drivers on the road, longer wait times, and rising passenger frustration. While Bolt’s firm stance is aimed at preserving order and fairness, it risks alienating the very workforce that keeps its wheels turning.
In a city already hit hard by inflation and fuel price hikes, the struggle between fair pay and corporate policy is intensifying. One thing is certain, the battle over ride fares in Port Harcourt is far from over, and both Bolt and its drivers are fighting to stay in control of the road ahead.