Warning for Uber and Bolt users in South Africa this week
E-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, and InDriver drivers will be turning off their e-haling apps from Monday (17 July), resulting in fewer drivers on the roads for customers in protest against high commission rates and safety concerns – calling for the industry to be regulated.
E-hailing drivers and unions, such as the Soweto United e-hailing Association, have called for a national shutdown of e-haling services, asking drivers and users to switch off their apps on Monday – with a possibility that this action would extend into the week.
Chairperson of the association, Thato Ramaila, said in an interview with eNCA that drivers are being exploited by low commissions, with Uber and other services taking a “ridiculous” 30% cut from the money their drivers make.
“At the end of the day, drivers are working for the company’s commission and petrol. Along with the cost of their vehicle maintenance, they are simply unable to afford basic living costs,” said Ramaila.
Ramaila also noted that drivers’ drop-off and pick-up points expose them to life-threatening crimes, and the companies are refusing to engage constructively with drivers regarding these problems, further noting that the industry needs to be regulated to protect drivers.
He added that this call for a national shutdown of e-hailing services in the country would force the companies to engage with drivers.
The areas that are expected to be affected, according to Ramaila, are:
- Johannesburg;
- Rustenburg;
- Gqeberha (PE); and
- Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The Private Public Transport Association spokesperson, Vhatuka Mbelengwa, further shared with 702 that the shutdown is not an agreed-upon strategy by the entire industry, and they will still be drivers available to customers on Monday and throughout the week.
“This is not a formally organised strike, with a start and end point, but more of a call to drivers to join the cause,” said Mbelengwa
However, he stressed that possible disruptions are expected, and South Africans planning on using the apps should exercise vigilance.
He added that the strike may not have full momentum today (Monday), but as more drivers join the protest, people will try their best to sustain it over the week to come.
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