Challenges Faced by Ride-Hailing Drivers in Pakistan Amid Rising Costs

In recent years, ride-hailing drivers in Pakistan have faced increasingly challenging conditions as the cost of operating their vehicles continues to rise. These drivers, who rely on platforms like Careem, Bykea, Yango, and inDriver, are struggling to make ends meet as expenses for fuel, maintenance, and other operational costs surge. The current inflationary pressures in Pakistan have made it difficult for drivers to sustain a livelihood, prompting them to appeal to ride-hailing companies to increase base fares.

Drivers point out that their vehicle expenses have grown significantly, putting a strain on their daily earnings. For many, these cars are their primary source of income, and rising costs are making it hard to cover basic needs. Fuel prices, in particular, have seen steep hikes, directly impacting drivers’ profitability. With higher costs for both AC and non-AC vehicles, drivers argue that their earnings do not reflect the value of their labor and the expenses they bear.

In a recent appeal, drivers have requested that the base fare be raised to a minimum of 400 PKR for AC cars and 300 PKR for non-AC cars. They argue that this adjustment is necessary to offset the increased expenses they incur daily. Without this increase, many drivers fear they will no longer be able to sustain their work, potentially leading to a reduction in available services on these platforms.

Drivers also feel that they lack a strong voice in the policies of ride-hailing companies. They are urging these companies to acknowledge their concerns and engage in fair practices that would ensure a reasonable income for drivers. This call for fair treatment highlights the need for a balanced approach that supports drivers while providing affordable and reliable services to customers.

The challenges faced by Pakistan’s ride-hailing drivers underscore a larger issue: the need for platforms to adapt to changing economic conditions and support the workforce that powers their services. Addressing drivers’ concerns through fare adjustments and policy changes could lead to a more sustainable ride-hailing ecosystem that benefits both drivers and passengers.