Bolt's 45% Commission Outrageous :A Driver's Experience That Raises Serious Concerns

As ride-hailing drivers, we often find ourselves bearing the brunt of policies that seem to shift overnight, with little to no explanation. One of the most pressing concerns right now is the outrageous commission Bolt is taking from drivers — and it's time we speak up.

My Recent Experience with Bolt’s Commission Policy

Just yesterday afternoon, I had an outstanding balance of ₦8,825 with Bolt. I made a payment of ₦2,200, which rightly brought my balance down to ₦6,625.

Later that day, I completed a trip from Aladelola Street in Ikosi, Ketu, to Magodo. The fare was ₦4,300, and the rider did not use any promo or bonus. Naturally, I decided to check my updated balance — and to my shock, it had increased from ₦6,625 to ₦8,550.

How is it possible that doing a paid trip increased my debt?

Immediately, I contacted Bolt support to raise this issue. I suspected an error in the commission charged for that trip. But the response I got was even more alarming.

Bolt No Longer Uses Fixed Commission Rates

The Bolt system (or as they call it, the “BOT”) informed me that they no longer charge a fixed 25% commission. Instead, the commission varies from ride to ride.

In my case, Bolt took 45% commission from that ₦4,300 trip.

Let that sink in — 45%.

Another Trip, Same Problem

Not long after, I picked up another rider for a trip from Magodo to the local airport. The fare was ₦7,700. Again, no bonuses were applied to the fare, but I received a ₦7,000 bonus from Bolt for completing 12 trips

.

Once more, I did the math:

The standard 25% commission on ₦7,700 should be ₦1,925.

My outstanding balance before the trip was ₦8,550.

Adding the commission (₦1,925) should bring it to ₦10,475.

Subtracting the ₦7,000 bonus should leave me with a balance of ₦3,475.

But guess what? Bolt says I’m still owing ₦4,272.

Where did that extra ₦800 come from?

Drivers Must Stand Together

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Bolt’s dynamic commission system is neither transparent nor fair. If a ride-hailing company can charge up to 45% per trip — with no clear breakdown for drivers — then something is deeply wrong.

This is not just about one trip or one driver. It’s about a system that continues to push hardworking drivers further into debt, with no accountability or explanation.

It’s time we, as drivers, unite and demand clarity, fairness, and a return to transparent pricing. If we don’t take a stand now, the situation will only get worse.

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Let’s start the conversation:

Have you noticed strange deductions on your Bolt trips lately? Share your experience in the comments. Let’s make our voices heard.

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