Travelers raise alarm as government suspends Uber and Bolt at airports, launches FAANTaxi app as sole operator

• Travel creator Chris Joondeph, popularly known as Authentic Traveling, rejected a N30,000 FAANTaxi fare from Lagos airport to Ikeja.

• Citizens took to social media to raise the alarm over the FAANTaxi fare after Chris shared his experience.

• The travel creator’s experience comes amid FAAN’s clarification that it has not banned Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services from Nigerian airports.

In a video shared online, Chris said he faced difficulty securing a ride to Ikeja, a route he said previously cost him about N6,000 to N8,000 on Uber.

According to the travel creator, the only available ride option he found at the airport was FAANTaxi, which quoted him N30,000 for the trip to Ikeja.

“I heard that they recently ban Uber and other rides here at the airport. I normally go to Ikeja which cost about 6 to 8,000 naira on Uber

So they have this new ride that cost 30,000 to Ikeja.”

Unwilling to pay the N30,000 fare, Chris said he left the airport premises and searched for an alternative ride.

He eventually secured an inDrive taxi outside the airport, which he said cost N6,100 to his destination in Ikeja Lagos.

His experience has since sparked reactions from Nigerians online, with some users raising concerns over the fare difference and the difficulty passengers may face when trying to access their preferred e-hailing services at the airport.

The development comes amid concerns over restrictions on Uber and Bolt operations at some Nigerian airports and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s efforts to establish a new framework for commercial transport services within airport premises.

Reports had emerged that Uber and Bolt faced restrictions at FAAN managed airports pending the finalisation of licence agreements with the authority. FAAN later clarified that it had not imposed a blanket ban on the platforms.

In its August 20 statement, FAAN said its position was aimed at ensuring that commercial transport services operating within airport premises meet safety, security, accountability and operational requirements.

The authority explained that airports are highly regulated environments and commercial transport providers require a framework that gives FAAN visibility over their vehicles, drivers and operations.

FAAN also clarified that its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, ACHRAMS, was not designed to compete with or replace Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing platforms.

According to the authority, ACHRAMS was created to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment while facilitating the management of applicable concession and related airport charges.

FAAN said it was engaging Uber, Bolt and other relevant e-hailing operators to develop a mutually workable framework that would address passenger safety, security, accountability and the management of pick-up activities at airports.

The authority also acknowledged concerns from passengers who may experience inconvenience while the discussions continue and expressed confidence that a mutually acceptable understanding would be reached.

Meanwhile, the FAANTaxi app referenced by the travel creator was available for download on app stores when checked by our correspondent.