The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Council, has extended its shutdown of Bolt and inDrive services to today, insisting that the industrial action will continue until the ride-hailing companies address drivers’ concerns over fares, commissions and welfare.

The extension came as both companies responded to the dispute, with Bolt expressing readiness to engage drivers on their concerns, while inDrive maintained that its existing product features had addressed key demands raised by operators.

AUATON had declared a shutdown yesterday, following what it described as a successful first day of industrial action across Lagos State.

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

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

Meanwhile, the reported scale of disruption could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

The union said that the shutdown was driven by mounting financial pressures on drivers, who bear the costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, repairs, tyres, insurance, financing, mobile data and vehicle depreciation.

It said that prevailing fare structures did not adequately reflect the cost of operating vehicles, particularly amid traffic congestion, rising maintenance expenses and other financial obligations faced by drivers.

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

Meanwhile, Bolt Nigeria’s Public Relations Manager, Femi Adeyemo, said the company was determined to engage formally with the drivers and was willing to take action on the concerns raised.

Also, InDrive Nigeria, however, maintained that its product features already addressed key issues raised by the drivers.

The company’s Country Manager, Timothy Oladimeji, said the platform charged a commission of 6.1 per cent, exclusive of Value-Added Tax (VAT), allowed drivers and passengers to negotiate fares, and permitted drivers to skip ride requests without penalty.

“We have fulfilled the demands by virtue of our product,” Oladimeji said.