Based on the report from Condia, a group of Nigerian drivers have developed SimpliRide, a homegrown alternative to Uber, Bolt, LagRide, and InDrive. The App operates on a flat daily subscription model, which is way cheaper than its competitors.
A New Option for Drivers and Riders
SimpliRide is now available on the Google Play Store and has two separate Apps for Drivers and Riders, allowing new people to sign up. However, SimpliRide’s creators argue that existing platforms have failed to address high operating costs, fuel price surges, and driver dissatisfaction.
Many feel that monthly discussions with Uber, Bolt, and InDrive do little to resolve their ongoing challenges, leading to frequent strikes and service disruptions. Their solution? A platform built by drivers for drivers.
Mixed Reactions from Industry Players
While the App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has distanced itself from direct involvement, it supports SimpliRide’s commission-free approach.
“The union is not behind SimpliRide,” said Jolaiya Moses, AUATON’s National Treasurer. “However, we endorse the app because it does not operate on a commission-based system.”
Moses added that SimpliRide offers fairer driver policies, promising protection against unfair bans, along with welfare benefits like health insurance, life insurance, and performance-based car loans.
Despite the support, skepticism remains. Ibrahim Ayoade, General Secretary of AUATON, questioned the ability of drivers to independently develop and sustain an app, citing technical and financial limitations.
“I am perplexed by the idea of drivers creating an app,” Ayoade told Condia. “This issue keeps surfacing, but the question remains, can drivers build and sustain an app, and if so, at what scale? AUATON is a regulatory body, not a competitor.”
Ayoade further suggested that some of SimpliRide’s backers hold positions within AUATON, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
“We have advised them against it, but personal interests seem to have taken precedence over the union’s stance,” he added.
The Debate Over SimpliRide’s Independence
Although SimpliRide presents itself as an independent, driver-led initiative, corporate records from B2BHint, a company verification tool, indicate that the platform was registered eight months ago.
Meanwhile, discussions on rideshare.chat, an online driver forum, suggest AUATON may have indirect ties to SimpliRide, with reports alleging that the union owns a 40% stake in the company.
Can SimpliRide Disrupt the Market?
Though SimpliRide offers an alternative to traditional ride-hailing platforms, its success still largly depends on its ability to attract riders, scale operations, and navigate regulatory hurdles. Nigeria’s digital transport industry is highly competitive, and many previous challengers have struggled to maintain market relevance.
For now, SimpliRide represents a bold attempt to shift power back to drivers, but whether it can truly change the landscape remains to be seen.
