How Bolt and Uber Drivers in Abeokuta Renegotiate App Prices by Over 100%
Abeokuta, a major city in Southwest Nigeria known for its paved roads and free-flowing traffic, presents a paradox for the e-hailing economy. Logically, these conditions should lead to cheaper travel costs, but for users of platforms like Uber and Bolt, the reality is quite different. The price displayed on the app is rarely the final fare. Instead, it serves as a starting point for a negotiation that often sees the cost of a trip increase significantly, reshaping the passenger experience within the city’s tech-driven transport sector.
The App Price vs. The Driver’s Price
A typical journey illustrates this local dynamic perfectly. A trip from the Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station in Laderin to a destination on M.K.O. Abiola Way, covering a distance of 6.5 km in under 15 minutes, generated an estimated app fare of N2200. However, upon arrival, the driver stated the actual cost would be N6000, an increase of nearly 200%. This was not an isolated incident; it became evident after interactions with multiple drivers that this is the established norm. The trip was eventually completed after negotiating the price down to N4800—still more than double the original estimate. This experience is consistent across the city, with passengers reporting that they regularly pay approximately 200% of the fare quoted by the app.
Ultimately, anyone using ride-hailing services in Abeokuta must be prepared for this on-the-ground pricing system. The city’s excellent road network does not translate to the algorithm-based savings one might expect. The final fare is determined through a direct, and often steep, renegotiation with the driver. This practice of inflating prices by over 100% has become the unofficial rule of e-hailing in the city, a crucial insight for both residents and visitors trying to navigate its transportation landscape.
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