Bolt and Uber drivers in South Africa have
threatened to shut down operations to protest ongoing safety concerns and low
pay.
While the strike hasn’t gained full momentum,
it could significantly decrease the number of available ride-hailing drivers
and leave many stranded.
In an interview with 702, e-hailing services
spokesperson Vhatuka Mbelengwa said that many ride-hailing drivers are expected
to switch off their apps.
However, he doesn’t expect services to come to
a complete halt.
“There is a very large sentiment leaning
towards people switching off their apps, but I won’t say that this is an
agreed-upon overall strategy by the industry,” said Mbelengwa.
“I will say that it is possible that there will
be disruptions. People should exercise vigilance.”
He explained there might be a service
reduction, but there likely won’t be a complete shutdown of ride-hailing apps.
“It’s not like this is an overnight strike
where it’s registered with a start point and an endpoint,” said Mbelengwa.
“It’s more of a sentiment thing within the
industry to say we need to find a different way to fight to make sure that the
constraints we have come to an end.”
Ride-hailing drivers want, among other things,
regulation in the industry and for companies to reduce the “extremely high”
commissions they charge.
“Let’s regulate the industry. Let’s ensure that
people are making decent money. Let’s reduce the extremely high commission that
Uber is taking away from drivers,” Mbelengwa stated.
Their demands also relate to ongoing safety
concerns regarding hijacking, illegal vehicle impoundment, and ride-hailing
drivers being targeted by taxi drivers.
Mbelengwa believes there won’t be any form of
intimidation from striking drivers towards those who continue to work through
the shutdown.
However, he added that with hundreds of
thousands expected to participate, it is still a possibility.
“It’s a big industry. There are hundreds of
thousands of people participating in it, so you can never be too sure what
exactly may transpire,” he said.
“This is a national shutdown that is being
discussed. We may not have full momentum today, but I think people will try
their best to get momentum.”
Bolt’s regional manager for East and Southern
Africa, Takura Malaba, says the company knows of the planned strike and
supports its drivers’ right to protest.
“Bolt has always appealed to drivers to do so
legally, peacefully, and without impacting the rights of other drivers who are
choosing to continue to operate and earn an income,” said Malaba.
He added that the company regularly engages
with law enforcement to help address the crimes of hijacking and illegal
impoundment.
“Crimes against ride-hailing drivers continue
to be a national issue of great concern. The safety of passengers and drivers
utilising the Bolt platform is of utmost importance to us,” he said.
Malaba said Bolt also regularly reviews new
ways to increase driver earnings, such as incentivising passengers, launching
new categories, and boosting marketing to attract more customers.
An Uber spokesperson told MyBroadband that it
is aware of the planned protest and continues to have open discussions with its
drivers.
“In the last month, we have been engaging with
the Soweto E-hailing Association, Western Cape E-Hailing Council, Metered Taxi
Associations, and many other structures and government departments,” they said.
“So far, we are forming workable solutions for
the benefit of an inclusive ride-sharing industry, whilst upholding the
independent status of drivers operating on the App.”
“Driver concerns are important to us and we are
constantly taking their feedback into account, by adapting fare policies and
rolling out new technology to provide better earning opportunities,” they
added.
Source:
Mybroadband.co.za
