e-Hailing drivers in Benin City have kicked against a new ride option introduced by Bolt called the Wait and Save. According to the Edo state Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Comrade Russell Eghaghe, the option is not in the best interest of drivers.
Bolt included the Wait and Save category in Edo State and several other markets. It appears as the last and cheapest option after Basic and Comfort. Describing the option in an email to Technext, a Bolt spokesperson said it is a budget-friendly option for riders who are willing to wait longer and drivers interested in back-to-back rides.
“Wait & Save is a budget-friendly ride option for riders willing to wait longer in exchange for a lower fare. It connects price-sensitive riders with B2B (back-to-back) drivers, drivers completing another trip nearby, ensuring high earnings for drivers while reducing prices,” the company said.
The company further said availability for the option is city-specific, as not all categories are available across all cities.
Expressing the drivers’ concern over the introduction, the state chairman said, given the current economic climate where fuel prices are extremely high, and Value Added Tax (VAT) has recently been imposed by the company, the introduction is not in the best interest of drivers. This is because it offers the lowest fares among the ride options, forcing drivers to bear the burden.
“We ask: on what basis does the Wait and Save option improve or support the services rendered by drivers? How does it benefit the drivers who power the platform daily? More concerning is the fact that this option appears to be implemented only in Benin City, raising serious questions about fairness, policy testing, and possible regional discrimination,” the chairman said.
Recall that recently, Bolt increased its commission to 21 per cent in Benin City. It also increased the booking fee, payable by riders, by 2.9 per cent. Though the company explained that the adjustments will be used to enhance its services and invest in areas such as safety features and rewards, it is understandable that drivers in the city feel discriminated against.
See also: Drivers kick as Bolt increases commission to 21% in Benin City, booking fee to 2.9%
However, Bolt pointed out that the option is not only available in Edo State, but also in other markets. It also explained that the orders under the option are completely optional, and drivers are not obliged to accept such orders.
The Edo State Chairman noted that the option does not make any economic sense for drivers as the fares are low, earnings will be poor, and the company would extract its commission nonetheless.
“A driver can work from morning till night, spend heavily on fuel, and still earn as little as ₦14,000 on Wait and Save rides. From this amount, Bolt deducts its commission, while the driver must still cover data costs, airtime, vehicle maintenance, and personal responsibilities to their families. This earning model is clearly unsustainable,” he said.
Responding to how exactly the Wait and Save option benefits drivers, especially as the fares are low, the company said the overall idea is to eliminate idle time for drivers with the back-to-back (B2B) rides, which the option provides.
“B2B matching eliminates idle time for drivers, keeping earnings per hour strong despite lower fares,” the company told Technext.
This suggests that even though riders are willing to wait longer for cheaper rides, drivers do not need to wait longer to get rides. A driver who spoke with Technext noted that while this may be true, the problem is that the riders who book on Wait and Save sometimes keep the driver waiting longer even after they arrive.
“Riders who are not ready to move will book Wait and Save and keep drivers waiting long after they arrive,” the driver said.
Drivers feel disrespected by the lack of consultation by Bolt
The Edo State Chairman, Russell Eghaghe, further lamented that drivers who would bear the brunt of the Wait and Save introduction were not consulted before its introduction. According to him, it gives the clear impression that e-hailing drivers are no longer respected or valued as partners.
“Bolt often refers to drivers as independent partners, yet critical decisions that directly affect driver welfare and earnings are taken without consultation or engagement with drivers or their recognised union, AUATON,” the Chairman said.
He noted that many drivers are already struggling with serious health challenges such as high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and other stress-related illnesses due to long working hours and economic pressure. He therefore wondered whether these realities feature in Bolt’s decision-making process.
He, therefore, advised drivers to avoid the Wait and Save option, as it is not beneficial and exposes drivers to financially and physically unsafe working conditions.
“If drivers are truly partners, they must be included in policy formulation and fare-structure decisions. Respect must go beyond words and be reflected in actions and fair compensation. We call on Bolt to urgently engage AUATON, Edo State Chapter, in constructive dialogue to review policies that are currently pushing drivers into hardship, ill health, and unsafe working conditions,” he said.
