Tension between the road transport workers’ union and ride-hailing startups was further heightened in Lagos on Tuesday, when riders attached to ORide took to the road to protest “multiple ticketing,” which is described as extortion, by the union members.

There has been no love lost between the road transport workers union and riders of ride-hailing companies in Lagos for over four months due to the ticketing system, which many riders are against.

The ticketing, is frustrating the business of the riders, as they must pay for every new location (LG) they ply within a day.

This led to the riders staging a protest around OPay’s (its parent company) office located at Agidingbi, Ikeja, to vent their frustrations.

Although there were reports that the protest had been due to non-payment of dues by OPay to the riders.

When the collision began

Riders of ride-hailing services and the road transport workers union had a bust-up in July 2019 after the union stopped them from requesting payment above the ticket price.

The ticket was N100, but the union members demanded N500 from the Riders, resulting in the riders halting their trips.

This brought to fore the silent grievance of the riders, relating to the extortion claim against the union members. Nairametrics learnt that the management of ORide has been liaising with the Lagos State government to resolve the situation.

The Senior Director of Operations, Ridwan Olalere, told Nairametrics that the company hopes to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation and the road transport workers, that will favour all parties involved. “We have been talking with the Ministry of Transportation and also the road transport workers union.

“These conversations are taking some time as we continue to engage with each other. The ultimate goal for us is to reach an agreement that will see every party content with the outcome. We are working very hard to ensure the rider experience is free of any hassle.” Olalere said.

Source:

https://nairametrics.com/2019/10/31/opay-management-denies-payment-issue-as-oride-riders-protest-against-road-nurtw/