By Comfort Asemota
Ride-hailing fares in Lagos have surged as the city’s Detty December festivities draw large crowds to concerts, beach parties, shopping centres, and nightlife spots. The influx of residents, returnees, and tourists has increased demand for services on platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, particularly during peak hours, according to drivers on Monday.
Steven Iwindoye, Public Relations Officer of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, told The Press that the December rush usually forces drivers to handle back-to-back trips. He added that fares often double during this period as passengers prioritise speed and convenience over cost.
Observers noted that heavy traffic on major routes—including Third Mainland Bridge, Ikorodu Road, Lekki-Epe Expressway, and Ikeja corridors—has worsened the surge in demand. Gridlocks turn short trips into hours-long journeys, triggering surge pricing on ride-hailing apps and pushing fares higher as commuters compete for available drivers.
Iwindoye attributed the price increases mainly to congestion, explaining that journeys that typically take around 40 minutes can stretch to three hours during the festive season. “The surge is expected to continue through the holidays but should ease after the celebrations, with prices likely to return to normal by mid-January 2026,” he said.
The festive period has also intensified drivers’ workloads, with longer hours on the road to meet demand. Vehicle condition and endurance have become critical for drivers seeking to maximise earnings during this season.
Driver Abbas Alhassan described the season as “demanding but rewarding for those with well-maintained vehicles.” While acknowledging the strain of long hours navigating the city’s festive activities, he said high demand offers an opportunity to earn more, although he prefers not to work at night.
Passengers, however, have expressed frustration over fare volatility. Some reported instances where prices increased mid-trip, adding to the challenges of navigating Lagos traffic during the festive season.
Atinuke Adedeji shared her experience, noting multiple occasions where fares jumped significantly before journeys ended. On one trip from Victoria Island to Surulere, the fare initially quoted at N14,500 rose to N18,900 before completion. “It’s shocking how prices go up before trips even finish,” she said.
Data from Bolt’s Rewind 2024 report indicates that demand for ride-hailing services had been growing even before the festive rush. Fridays were identified as the busiest day of the week for Bolt riders, reflecting heavy end-of-week travel. Popular pick-up points included airports and restaurants, highlighting the platform’s role in facilitating both travel and leisure activities.
The report also showed a rise in driver activity, with a record rider completing 1,719 trips in 2024, up from 1,336 in 2023. Bolt’s top driver completed 7,287 trips nationwide. The longest single trip recorded in Nigeria spanned 21,094.461 kilometres, demonstrating sustained and growing demand for ride-hailing services. Globally, Bolt reported strong business usage in cities such as Bangkok, Johannesburg, and Asunción.
