The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Council, has extended its shutdown of Bolt and inDrive services to tomorrow, following what it described as a successful first day of industrial action across Lagos State.

The union said the protest, which began on Monday, was aimed at compelling the two ride-hailing platforms to address drivers’ concerns over low fares, high commissions, welfare, transparency and working conditions.

In a statement issued on Monday, AUATON’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, said reports from the union’s mobilisation and compliance teams indicated widespread participation across several communities and commercial centres in Lagos.

The areas affected, according to the union, included Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town, Surulere, Ikeja, Agege, Alagbado, Abule-Egba, Yaba, Shomolu, Kosofe, Ojodu-Berger, Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo and Ibeju-Lekki.

The union claimed that passengers in several locations experienced difficulties securing rides on the two platforms as drivers withdrew their services in compliance with the industrial action.

AUATON said the shutdown was a response to mounting financial pressures on drivers, who bear the costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, repairs, tyres, insurance, financing, mobile data and depreciation.

According to the union, the existing fare structures do not adequately reflect the cost of operating vehicles, particularly amid traffic congestion, rising maintenance expenses and the financial obligations drivers must meet.

It warned that the situation could undermine the long-term sustainability of the e-hailing industry if drivers continued to struggle to cover operating costs and earn reasonable returns on their investments.

The union is demanding that Bolt and inDrive introduce fairer and more sustainable fares, reduce platform commissions to a maximum of 10 per cent, improve transparency in fare calculations and deductions, and strengthen driver welfare and safety protections.

It also called for due process in the suspension or deactivation of drivers, insisting that affected operators should be given an opportunity to respond to allegations against them.

AUATON further urged both companies to engage with the union and recognised driver representatives to negotiate practical solutions to the concerns raised.

“We are not demanding empty promises, public relations statements, or meetings without outcomes,” the union said, adding that any engagement must produce tangible progress on fares, commissions, transparency, welfare and fair treatment.

The union said its task force and compliance teams would continue monitoring developments during the shutdown, while urging participating drivers to remain peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding.

It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, government authorities and other labour stakeholders to support efforts to resolve the dispute.

AUATON maintained that the action was not simply about the introduction of alternative ride-hailing applications but a broader demand for better economic conditions and greater protection for drivers in the digital transportation industry.

The union urged Bolt and inDrive to respond to its demands, warning that the withdrawal of services would continue until meaningful progress was made.

The latest development comes amid growing tensions between app-based transporters and ride-hailing operators over the economics of the business, including the share of fares retained by drivers after platform deductions and the costs of maintaining vehicles.

However, the union’s claims of widespread disruption across Lagos could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

Besides, PR Manager, Bolt Nigeria, Femi Adeyemo, said the company is determined to formally engage with the drivers and happy to take actions on their concerns.

Efforts to reach the Indrive representative in Nigeria, Country Manager, inDrive Nigeria, Timothy Oladimeji, was abortive as questions sent to him were not responded to via Whatsapp as at the time of filing this report.