The Ashanti Region Online Drivers Union (ARODU) has announced a fare increase in ride-hailing services, its leadership has confirmed to Asaase News.
The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations with app companies to adjust sales commissions and address the growing burden of vehicle maintenance costs.
The recent surge in fuel prices has added to these challenges. Asaase News’ checks has also confirmed that this directive came into effect on 5 August.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 MTN MoMo Month in Kumasi on Wednesday (7 August), the union’s chairman, Isaac Baffour Boateng justified the decision highlighting the financial strain on drivers and their daily struggles. He noted that the fare increase aims to offset these rising costs while improving service quality and enhancing the customer experience.
“We have had a couple of engagement with them [App Companies] but we have come out with some replies they sent us…And we cannot sit aloof as union executives. These companies are making are taking a whooping twenty-five per cent from our sales. Then before you could make sales as a driver at the end of the week you are affected at the end”, Boateng said.
“So, we have decided from the onset that trips that are GHC20 we are not going to take any bonuses. Assuming the trip is GHC20, and the App company gives you GHC5 as bonus, the driver will not accept that. We will take the GHC20 fully. And if the trip is below GHC20, the driver will take GHC20 from you. And because we don’t want any scuffle between drivers and passengers, drivers have been encouraged to inform passengers about what is on the ground and they are satisfied they go and pick them”, he further explained.
Some residents who frequently use ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt are unhappy about this development. They say this directive will take a toll on their finances.
“Why is it that when there is a surge we pay more and when it favours the customer, they have issues?” a customer questioned. “We shouldn’t be affected as customers. I think they should deal with the App companies; this new trend is not fair”.
“You order a ride, the driver will come because of the price issue, he will go offline. Sometimes you have a discount on your App the driver will say I don’t take discount. And looking at the cost of fuel these days it is not also helping the drivers and so both parties should resolve the issue themselves so that customers will feel comfortable”, another said.
Reporting By Lordina Agyemang Duah, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi
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