The Bolt boycott threat has been issued by the Nigerian e-hailing drivers union, the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). The union expressed frustration over Bolt’s handling of drivers and operations on its platform. This threat, outlined in a letter signed by Lagos State Chairman Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, was directed at the Bolt app company.
AUATON claims that drivers are upset with Bolt’s actions, including the mismanagement of community groups, unauthorized use of members’ data, and unfair pricing models. According to the union, vital information is frequently deleted from Bolt community WhatsApp groups, raising suspicions of divide-and-rule tactics. The union also condemned Bolt’s use of driver data to negotiate with the government regarding compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives without consulting them.
Additionally, the union criticized the company for low fares, hidden fees, unrealistic bonus structures, and lack of security. AUATON warned that if these issues are not addressed, a Bolt boycott and a mass migration to alternative e-hailing platforms may occur.
This development comes at a time when inflation and fuel scarcity have already made life difficult for drivers, and recent fare increases from Bolt and Uber have done little to ease their burden. Drivers are dissatisfied with the fare adjustments, as they believe the increases do not match the rising costs of fuel.
It remains to be seen whether the Bolt boycott threat will materialize, but the union’s demands for transparency, fair compensation, and better security measures highlight the growing tensions between drivers and the platform.
