The Portuguese Association of Disabled Car Transporters (APTAD) accused this Monday, 16th, the Uber and Bolt platforms of refusing to adjust fares, despite the “abrupt” rise in fuel prices, which worsens the sector’s costs.
In an open letter addressed to the two platforms, the president of APTAD, Ivo Miguel Fernandes, says that in recent weeks there has been an “abrupt” increase in fuel prices, with increases of close to 30 cents per liter in diesel, which has a direct impact on the activity of drivers and TVDE operators (Individual and Remunerated Transport of Passengers in Uncharacterized Vehicles).
“We are not facing a one-off variation. We are facing a sudden increase in one of the main costs of the activity”, reads the letter.
Given this scenario, the president of APTAD considers it absolutely “incomprehensible and unspeakable” that platforms maintain the position of not changing tariffs in Portugal.
“This position not only demonstrates a total disconnect with the economic reality of those who work in the sector. It also demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the operators and drivers who provide this service daily”, points out Ivo Fernandes.
In this sense, the association criticizes the argument that the platform model adjusts prices only depending on the demand and availability of drivers, at a time when the sector is facing rising fuel costs and the cost of living.
In the letter, APTAD also defends structural changes in the sector, namely the creation of a minimum occupancy rate for platforms, a measure that would force the number of vehicles available to be adjusted to real demand.
According to the association, the solution would make it possible to avoid the continuous entry of new vehicles when the occupancy rate is low, reducing supply saturation and the drop in drivers’ income.
APTAD considers that the current review of the law that regulates the individual and paid transport of passengers in uncharacterized vehicles is “a decisive phase” to correct what it says are weaknesses in the sector’s model.
Contacted by Lusa, a Bolt source acknowledged the legitimacy of the drivers’ concerns and assured that the platform is “closely monitoring” the situation.
“We are aware that fuel costs are an important component of drivers’ income, so we will closely monitor the impact of rising fuel prices,” he said.
The Bolt source also indicated that a process is underway to evaluate drivers’ prices and income, in order to introduce measures that can “mitigate the impact arising from these costs in the short term”.
“Our priority is to maintain a balance between the operating costs of drivers working with partner operators and the prices charged to passengers, in order to ensure that our platform continues to be fair and sustainable for all parties”, he highlighted.
Lusa also contacted the Uber platform, but has not yet received any response.
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