The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) has expressed concerns over the ripple effect of the new fuel price on its members.

Adedamola Adeniran, National President of the union in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said the new fuel price was causing hardship on its members’ earnings and patronages.

Mr Adediran said this was because members lacked the capacity to increase the fare, unlike independent cab drivers, branded taxi drivers, bus drivers and others.

He, therefore, urged App-based transport companies including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Indriver and others to urgently review their price upward by 200 per cent and set minimum trip fare at N2, 000 naira respectively.

He also urged the companies not to deactivate any of the drivers as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.

“The app companies should immediately set their commission at 10 per cent flat or reduce their commission by 50 per cent without any hidden charges, owing to homogeneous commission charges that had made our business unprofitable.

“We demand that app companies subsidise trip fare for the rider by at least, five per cent to cushion the effect of the increase for the rider, using the gain from homogeneous commission reserved,” he said.

Similarly, Jossy Olawale, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the union, appealed to the app companies to immediately respond and act on the union’s demands.

“We will also like to encourage our members to go about their peaceful business and adopt every lawful and profitable means to carrying out their businesses until further directive by the union,” he said.

(NAN)