Uber and Bolt, the two popular and most widely used ride-hailing platforms in Lagos, are reportedly cashing-in on the ban of motorcycles also known as ‘Okada’ in the centre of excellence.
Prices on the ride-hailing platforms have reportedly surged as a result of increased demand.
On Bolt, a trip from Ojuelegba to Yaba on Lagos Mainland that usually costs between N400 and N500 is now between 600 and 800. Meanwhile, it is between N500-550 for the same trip on Uber.
Unlike short destinations, the prices for taking a ride for distant and long trips are very much higher.
https://twitter.com/Thedabigal/status/1224225377477894144
I thought I was late to work till I saw my boss in the crowd!!! I took this picture for my answer to query #otrek #OkadaBan pic.twitter.com/zUpP5WTgbP
— ghost 👻 (@__papilo) February 3, 2020
Even Uber and Bolt don do their own
— Titilope Adelabu (@TitilopeAdelabu) February 3, 2020
8:30am today.
Obalende to Adeola Odeku.
Bolt and Uber says N1500 – N2200.
It's like we are all mad in this country like this.#otrek #OkadaBan
— Eno Emmanuel (@enojohn444) February 3, 2020
As Uber and Bolt are cashing-in on the Okada Ban, many commuters have resulted in either trekking to their final destinations or waiting for several hours for the Lagos commercial buses also known as Danfo.
Unfortunately, Lagosians who are not mobile have no other alternative than to pay the high fares charged by Uber, Bolt and the regular Danfos or they simply trek.
A bit of succour or relieve would have come the way of Lagosians if the government had not also banned the on-demand commercial motorcycle startups like ORide, Gokada NG and MaxOkada.
The Lagos State Government proscribed operations of motorcycles in six Local Government Areas (LGAs), nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 10 major highways across the State with effect from February 1.
LASG directed security operatives to embark on total enforcement of the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and disorderliness created by illegal operations of Okada and tricycle riders in restricted areas.
