Helsinki taxi drivers working for Uber and Bolt staged a protest at the city’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday, calling for higher fares and lower platform commissions as rising operating costs make it harder for them to earn a living.
More than 100 drivers took part in the demonstration, arguing that the prices offered for rides have fallen too low to cover the growing cost of running their vehicles. They said high fuel prices, combined with low payments for some journeys, are putting increasing financial pressure on drivers who depend on ride-hailing platforms for their income.
Mahmoud Kappa, one of the protest organisers, said the gap between operating expenses and the compensation drivers receive has become a serious concern. He pointed to diesel prices reaching as high as 2.50 euros per litre, arguing that some fares are so low that drivers may struggle to recover even the cost of completing a trip.
The drivers called on Uber and Bolt to increase fares by at least 15 percent and cap their commissions at 15 percent of each fare. They argued that changes to the pricing structure would help drivers retain a greater share of their earnings while covering fuel, vehicle maintenance and other operating expenses.
The protesters also demanded greater transparency over how fares are calculated, more reasonable payments for airport transfers and journeys during peak hours, and the freedom to accept or reject ride requests without facing penalties or other consequences.
For drivers who rely on the platforms for their main source of income, the dispute goes beyond the price of individual journeys. Suleman Rafaqat, who has lived in Finland for two years, said the current pricing system can leave drivers working long hours without earning enough to make the effort financially worthwhile.
Rafaqat said some working days can stretch from morning until night, with earnings sometimes coming close to zero. His account reflects the concerns raised by demonstrators over whether the income generated through app-based taxi services is sufficient to cover the costs of working in the sector.
The protest places pressure on Uber and Bolt to address drivers’ concerns over fares, commissions and the conditions attached to accepting ride requests. The demands focus on the share of each fare retained by drivers and whether the pricing system adequately accounts for the costs they face while providing the service.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle contacted representatives of both companies for comment, but neither had responded to interview requests by Thursday afternoon.
The drivers’ demands include a proposed fare increase, a limit on platform commissions and clearer pricing rules. Whether Uber and Bolt will respond to the requests remains unclear.
