Online Drivers Call for Reduction in 30% Commission
The Association of Online Drivers has called on ride-hailing companies such as Bolt, Yango, and Uber to review the 30 percent commission charged on each trip, describing it as unfair and unsustainable.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, November 6, the Executive Chairman of the Association, Mr. Augustine Mensah, said the high deductions are making it difficult for drivers to earn a decent income and stay in business.
He explained that a 30% deduction from a fare of GHC15 leaves drivers with very little to cover fuel and other expenses.
“Can this 30 percent fuel a driver’s car for even 50 minutes? The answer is no,” he lamented.
He noted that when Uber started operations in 2013, commissions were between 8% and 10% per trip, but have since risen gradually to the current 3% without clear justification
Sharing a typical example, Mr. Mensah said drivers often receive requests from passengers who are located far away, sometimes as much as eight, nine, ten, or even seventeen minutes from where the driver is. Despite covering such long distances just to reach the passenger, the actual trip may last only about five minutes.
“It’s GHC15 and out of the GHC15, because we use their platform, 30% is being deducted from this GHC15. Can this 30% itself, without any deduction, fuel a driver’s tank if the tank is empty to drive for 50 minutes? The answer is no. Because it’s not even up to a bottle of petrol.
Mr. Mensah gave the companies a one-week ultimatum to meet with the association to discuss a downward review of the commission. He warned that if the platforms fail to engage them, drivers will be advised to take steps to improve their earnings from now until the end of January next year.
He added that the association may also petition President John Dramani Mahama if the issue remains unresolved.
Mr. Mensah further cautioned that drivers could embark on what he called “Operation Offline” during the festive season meaning they would pick up passengers outside the apps and collect fares directly if their concerns are ignored.
“On behalf of the executives of the Association of Online Drivers, and on my behalf, we demand an immediate meeting between Uber, Bolt, and Yango so that we can all deliberate on how this 30% charge can be dropped,” he said.
