Lagos Ride, an e-hailing scheme, is an outcome of the State Government’s partnership with Chinese auto manufacturer CIG Motors Co. Ltd, popularly known as GAC Motors.
The scheme is expected to compete with other e-hailing services such as the likes of Uber and Bolt and provide employment for thousands of drivers. The plan is to roll out a fleet of 1,000 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
According to the State government, the distribution of the 1000 SUVs to eligible beneficiaries will be carried out within the next six months but the ride-hailing scheme itself will only be operational by September 2022, given that all necessary standards are being met.
While the ride-hailing scheme doubles as a social intervention scheme, it is directed towards providing job opportunities and poverty alleviation for Lagos State residents.
More so, the State Government claimed that the scheme is designed to be very inclusive; hence, it will also empower persons residing in underserved communities.
The obvious concern for many independent ride-hailing contractors would be that of a stiffened e-hailing market in the State. The current population of ride-hailing drivers in the State has grown rapidly over the years, with Uber and Bolt accounting for over 10,000 and 20,000 drivers, respectively.
Empowering an additional 1000 new drivers would only mean a more stiff market for the existing players as riders can select from a wider range of e-hailing options. Some Uber/Bolt drivers have also expressed concerns on vital issues relating to regulation and transparency.
It is almost impossible to rule out the fear of the unknown by the current Uber/Bolt drivers, considering how swiftly governments create new policies without consulting stakeholders. With that, existing Uber/Bolt drivers are of the opinion that the State is about to do to them what it did to the bike-hailing services but in an attempt to debunk the up soaring fear among the drivers, Transport commissioner, Dr Frederic Oladeinde clarified that the State government means no harm.
Dr Oladeinde dispelled the fears many are already grooming towards the new initiative in his statement: “The state is not taking over e-hailing. Rather, the Government is creating an enabling environment for its citizens to participate in the taxi business.”
He further clarified that Lagos Ride will operate in the same manner as the likes of Uber and Bolt, and most importantly will be guided by the same policies that are on the ground.
The Commissioner further added that no new regulations will be introduced for ride-hailing drivers currently operating in the state.
He, however, emphasised that the Lagos Ride drivers will not be exempted from existing e-hailing regulations; hence, will not have any undue advantage over Uber/Bolt drivers.
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