Former Uber Driver Criticizes Decline in Ride-Hailing Service Standards in Lagos |LAGOS EYE NEWS

A former Uber driver, Taiwo Aina, has voiced strong concerns over what he describes as a sharp decline in the quality of ride-hailing services in Lagos, particularly pointing fingers at industry giants Uber and Bolt.

In a candid reaction shared on X-handle, Aina recalled a time when Uber was regarded as a premium transport service, emphasizing that the company once held high standards for both its vehicles and drivers.

“Uber used to be top-tier and offered an amazing experience until Bolt entered the market,” Aina said. He noted that instead of maintaining its premium service model, Uber began adopting less stringent recruitment practices in a bid to stay competitive, a move he believes marked the beginning of a general decline in quality across both platforms.

Aina reminisced about the early days of Uber in Lagos, when driver vetting was more rigorous. “To get accepted as a driver, you had to take a test on an iPhone at their Ikoyi office, and your appearance mattered,” he said. “We used to step out to open doors for customers and ensured every ride was a premium experience. Those were the days of Uber Black.”

https://x.com/tayoainafilms/status/1927869212124700772?t=ilSgwEz0m2gW4GD6KeZuMA&s=19

Expressing frustration with the current state of services, Aina recounted a recent experience in which a driver attempted to renegotiate the fare. “I requested a ride, and the driver said he couldn’t go for the app fare unless I doubled it. Otherwise, he’d cancel,” he said.

He further criticized the condition of vehicles and the declining value of the rating system. “Some of these cars are in terrible shape—with faulty air conditioning, unpleasant odors, and noises that suggest they’re on the verge of breaking down,” he lamented. “The rating system has lost its relevance. No one seems to care anymore. It’s all become a money grab.”

Ride-hailing services have become an integral part of urban transportation in Lagos, but complaints about declining service quality, pricing irregularities, and passenger safety have continued to surface among users and drivers alike.