InDrive blames GPS glitches and passenger network for ‘ridiculous’ fares

Following a desperate cry by drivers condemning what they termed “ridiculous” trip fares on its app, leading ride-hailing company, InDrive has blamed the situation on GPS glitches and passenger network issues. The company’s public relations manager, Lineo Thakhisi disclosed this in response to a Technext inquiry into the matter.

Technext had reported earlier that drivers were bashing the company for the unbelievably low fares.

In one order seen, a rider offered the sum of 2,000 naira for a trip from Fatai Durosinmi-Etti Crescent in Victoria Island to Egbeda. As estimated on the app, the trip distance is 38.6 kilometres and is estimated to last an hour and two minutes. Yet, the fare is not enough for three litres of fuel.

Similarly, another ride from 146 Lagos-Epe Express Road to Ogba Magistrate Court, a distance of 37.8 kilometres with an estimated travel time of one hour and three minutes was ordered for 2,000 naira. Furthermore, another 30-kilometre trip that is expected to last an hour and 19 minutes was ordered for a fare of 4,000 naira. The cases are endless.

Responding, the InDrive PR manager, Lineo said the company is aware of the issues and that they are rare, only affecting one per cent of trips.

“We are aware of recent reports about potential issues with trip orders and want to clarify that many of these concerns may stem from GPS glitches or passenger network issues. Given the scale of our operations, with hundreds of thousands of orders daily, these glitches are rare, affecting less than 1% of our trips,” Lineo said.

See also: N2,000 from VI to Egbeda: Drivers slam InDrive for offering ‘ridiculous’ fares

He said the company’s system is designed to protect drivers by allowing them to avoid unfair trips and bid for more profitable ones. The company also ensures that negotiations between drivers and passengers are balanced, preventing unreasonably low or high bids.

“We continuously monitor feedback and external factors impacting our service, striving to maintain a smooth and reliable experience for all users. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent platform for our drivers and passengers,” the PR manager said.

The issue might be more serious than InDrive is admitting

While InDrive’s response is tenable, it does not do enough to assuage drivers who have had to repeatedly deal with the same problem. The affected drivers, even if they are a random one per cent, would love to believe that they matter.

Some drivers have complained that the issue is getting worse by the day.

“Someone needs to sue InDrive because it is becoming worse every day. Somedays I don’t even go out because of the ridiculous amount on the app. I only go out when I get offline. This is because it is of no use. If I venture on such a ridiculous trip, the entire money won’t even be enough for fuel alone.” Ola, a driver said.

The situation is prevalent enough for some drivers to ascribe it to passengers, a reasonable attribution given the harsh economic climate. A driver, Jeremiah penned a strongly-worded open letter on X where he demanded that InDrive stop giving passengers the power to make ridiculous bids on the app.

“Hello in drive, We wish to bring to your notice in case you are not in touch with our present situation in Nigeria and the current rise of goods and services. There is an increase in the price of fuel and also the cost of maintenance. Stop giving riders the power to make ridicule of our job to render this service. Drivers under this platform are rendering services moving your riders from one point to another safely,” Jeremiah said.

The tweet has since attracted more complaints from other drivers.

Another driver echoed the same sentiment, although he felt the passengers were only happy to further reduce their fares:

“There has been a recent observation about a ridiculous fare price you input on the App and also giving riders the bargaining power of their own to lower the fare price which eventually put the drivers in a position of no option. This is to let you know that if nothing is done about this as soon as possible, do note that other notable platforms will heed the request of drivers on their platform (s) and do the needful about their pricing.”

Hopefully, InDrive will rectify the GPS anomaly. This is because as long as the issues persist, drivers involved with the 1 per cent affected at any point in time will feel ridiculed at the rather demeaning fares.

The post InDrive blames GPS glitches and passenger network for ‘ridiculous’ fares first appeared on Technext.