"Business continues as usual" - Uber responds to protesting drivers

folarin okunola

May 9, 2017 5:56 PM

Uber Nigeria had reduced fare prices for rides on its service by 40% on May 4, 2017, a decision which led to drivers staging a protest.

Uber drivers protesting price cuts in front of Uber Nigeria's offices in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Uber has responded to drivers boycotting its app in protest of a recent 40% fare reduction saying “business continues as usual.”

In a statement to Pulse Tech, Samantha Allenberg, Uber spokesperson, said, “A small group of drivers had concerns about the fare reduction and yesterday choose not to use the app. We have made contact with them to explain how the payment guarantee’s work. Business continues as normal.”

Uber Nigeria had reduced the fare prices for rides on its service by 40% on May 4, 2017, after which the drivers on the tech company’s platform took to the streets of Lagos to protest the reduction.

ALSO READ: Tech company responds to Taxify with its own 40% price cut

When Pulse Tech paid a visit to the Uber Nigeria office in Ikoyi on Monday, May 7, 2017, where the protest was at its fiercest, security officials told us Uber staff had not been in all day. The drivers at the scene were also threatening to ditch Uber for its competitors.

Meanwhile, a reliable source told Pulse Tech that there has not been any statement to the drivers from Uber since the strike began yesterday. The source also stated that several attempts have been made by the elected leaders within the Uber driver community to open a dialogue with Uber to no avail.

More updates as the story develops.

folarin okunola