E-hailing company Bolt has agreed to work with drivers on several major issues, including fare pricing and the unblocking of previously deactivated driver accounts. The commitments form part of the resolutions reached at an open dialogue held between the company and representatives of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) over the operational and economic challenges affecting drivers' experience on the platform.

The development comes in the wake of a four-day strike by drivers over plummeting revenues, which they attributed to low fares, high commissions, ever-increasing operational costs, and app companies that "simply do not care." Other issues raised include high deactivation rates — especially on Bolt — and recognition of the union. Bolt had earlier called for dialogue with AUATON ahead of the October 12 app shutdown and indefinite strike.

The resolutions give the strike's core grievances — fares, commissions, operating costs and deactivations — a formal channel for resolution, moving the dispute from industrial action to structured engagement between the company and its drivers.

Pricing was a significant subject of the discussions, with drivers sharing perspectives on operating costs, competitive market conditions, fare levels, and the relationship between pricing, earnings and vehicle sustainability.

"Given the need for input from relevant teams, Bolt requested additional time to coordinate the next stage of discussions. Bolt will communicate a proposed date for a dedicated pricing engagement in the following week," the resolution reads.

Pricing sits at the center of the earnings dispute: low fares and high commissions topped the list of reasons drivers cited for their plummeting revenues, making the outcome of the dedicated engagement the most consequential item to follow.

The company also acknowledged the feedback shared by drivers regarding existing paid waiting-time arrangements and the charges applied to passengers during waiting periods. Under the existing policy, drivers may cancel a trip after five minutes of waiting without incurring a cancellation penalty. Bolt said it will undertake an internal review of its current paid waiting-time structure and assess whether any adjustments may be appropriate.

Driver-Partner Dispute Resolution Clinic

On the issue of deactivations, Bolt undertook to establish a Driver-Partner Dispute Resolution Clinic to provide a structured forum for reviewing recurring concerns relating to account blocking, suspension and deactivation. The commitment speaks to one of the strike's sharpest complaints: an account block cuts a driver off from the platform and the earnings that come with it.

"The proposed clinic will provide an opportunity to improve mutual understanding of the circumstances that may lead to account restrictions, the applicable review parameters and the channels available to drivers seeking clarification or a review of their cases. The proposed framework will include participation by AUATON representatives and independent drivers, ensuring that the entire driver ecosystem is involved," the resolution reads.

The company, however, maintained that individual cases will remain subject to applicable platform procedures, relevant privacy and confidentiality requirements, and the need to protect the rights and interests of all parties concerned.

Vehicle Maintenance Support

Bolt also said it will introduce a Vehicle Care and Standards Clinic in recognition of the rising cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance. The initiative, to be run in collaboration with selected automobile service providers, is aimed at giving eligible drivers access to support for selected minor-to-medium vehicle maintenance and repair needs, while reinforcing the vehicle quality and safety standards required for reliable ride-hailing services.

The offer addresses the cost squeeze at the center of the strike, in which drivers paired plummeting revenues with ever-increasing operational costs — a combination that makes maintenance bills harder to absorb.

"The clinic will complement Bolt's existing vehicle inspection and quality requirements. Its broader objective is to help drivers maintain roadworthy vehicles, promote safer journeys and improve the quality and reliability of the passenger experience," the resolution read.

Driver Academy and Capacity Building

The company also expressed its willingness to explore the development of a Driver Academy and Capacity-Building Programme. Envisaged as an ongoing capacity-building initiative, the programme will welcome input and participation from AUATON and independent drivers, with the frequency and delivery format to be determined following further planning.

AUATON and interested independent driver representatives will be invited to contribute proposals on the programme's structure, priority topics and delivery approach. The final format will be subject to internal review and implementation planning. The objective is to strengthen driver knowledge, improve the effective use of available platform resources, and promote safer, more professional and reliable service delivery.

Ten Years on the Road

Bolt further said it is developing a Ten Years on the Road initiative to celebrate the contributions of drivers who have helped shape the ride-hailing ecosystem and supported everyday mobility over the years. The company also assured continued engagement with drivers on the importance of maintaining appropriate standards across the ride-hailing ecosystem, particularly in relation to vehicle quality, road safety, passenger security and service reliability.

The nearest milestone is the dedicated pricing engagement, for which Bolt is to communicate a proposed date within the following week; most other commitments — the waiting-time review, the dispute resolution clinic, the Vehicle Care and Standards Clinic and the Driver Academy — remain at the review or planning stage, making implementation the measure of whether the dialogue eases the tensions behind the strike.