Fare war erupts among Bulawayo e-hailing drivers

A fare war is brewing among Bulawayo's e-hailing drivers, with some allegedly setting up fake ride requests to expose colleagues accepting fares they consider too low to cover operating costs.

The divisions emerged during a meeting of e-hailing drivers, most of whom operate through the inDrive platform, at Northend Shopping Centre on Tuesday morning.

The drivers gathered to discuss what they described as unsustainable fares, with some refusing to accept trips they believe do not cover fuel and vehicle maintenance costs, while others say financial pressures leave them with little choice.

Interviews with several drivers opposed to the disputed fares revealed growing frustration over the rising cost of operating vehicles.

One driver, who identified himself as Zibusiso, said some trips were simply not financially viable.

"The problem is that you can travel a long distance, but when you look at the money you are getting, it does not make business sense. You have to buy fuel, and at the end of the day, you still need to make something for yourself," he said.

Another driver questioned why some passengers expected them to accept low fares for journeys involving considerable distances.

"Someone can come from South Africa after paying hundreds of rands for a bus ticket, then request a local ride at a price that does not make sense for the distance. We also have costs to cover. We cannot operate vehicles for free," he said.

The drivers cited examples of passengers requesting trips for as little as US$1.50, arguing that such amounts were insufficient to cover their expenses.

However, not everyone agrees with rejecting low-paying trips.

Drivers operating hired vehicles said they face pressure to meet daily financial targets imposed by vehicle owners, making it difficult to turn down requests even when the fares are unattractive.

One driver, Tawanda, said rejecting too many trips could leave drivers struggling to meet their daily obligations.

"If you are driving someone else's car, you have a target you must meet at the end of the day. You cannot reject every ride because you still have to pay the owner.

"Sometimes you end up accepting a ride even when the fare is too low because you need to make up the money," he said.

The disagreement has reportedly escalated into hostility, with some drivers allegedly creating fake ride requests to identify colleagues willing to accept the disputed fares.

Those who accept the requests are reportedly exposed to other drivers, raising fears that they could be reported and potentially blocked from the platform.

While some drivers view the practice as a way of pressuring colleagues to reject fares they consider unsustainable, it has also raised concerns about intimidation and divisions within the e-hailing community.

The meeting followed reports of a planned strike by drivers, which failed to materialise as disagreements persisted over how best to push for higher and more sustainable fares.