“Mistreated” minicab drivers set to protest against ride-hailing firm Bolt

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“Mistreated” minicab drivers are set to protest against ride-hailing firm Bolt next week.

Private hire driver representatives, United Private HIre Drivers (UPHD), claim that drivers are suffering unfairly from account deactivation, low revenue and ‘fake’ surge pricing.

Bolt, the European on-demand transportation platform formerly known as Taxify, launched in London in June with a half-price promotion, promising lower fares for passengers as well as more take-home pay for drivers. Bolt also claimed they would introduce improved safety for Londoners and bring much-needed competition to on-demand transport.

However, UPHD officials are demanding that Bolt now obey the law and respect worker rights and end unfair dismissals of drivers. There are also calls to increase fares to £2 per mile and end fake surge pricing.

UPHD are planning a protest next week on Tuesday 29 October from 12 noon at the Bolt Offices in London.

A spokesperson for the UPHD said via social media: “For too long Bolt has been mistreating drivers. Now is the time for us to take a stand and demand better.

“Many of our members have suffered working for Bolt, from unfair deactivated, low fares that make it hard to get by, and fake surge pricing.

“We have met with many of our members to discuss these problems and we have decided it is time to fight.

“For years we have been leading the fight to make Uber respect drivers rights and ensure we are properly paid. But we cannot just focus on Uber when other big operators in this city behave the same or worse. The fight for proper rights at Bolt is the same fight as that at Uber. ALL drivers need to stand together to push up conditions for all of us.”