Uber and Bolt Drivers Demand Tariff Adjustment as Diesel Breaks the Two-Euro Barrier

The Portuguese Association of Ride-Hailing Transport Operators (APTAD) has accused Uber and Bolt of refusing to adjust fares despite a sharp rise in fuel costs that it says is threatening the financial viability of thousands of drivers across the country.

A 30-Cent Surge

In an open letter addressed to both platforms, APTAD president Ivo Miguel Fernandes pointed to diesel price increases of nearly 30 cents per litre in recent weeks -- a direct consequence of the ongoing disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz. Portugal's energy regulator ERSE confirmed this week that the efficient price of diesel has now surpassed two euros per litre, with petrol close behind.

"This is not a one-off fluctuation. This is a sharp increase in one of the main costs of our activity," the letter states. APTAD described the platforms' position as "absolutely incomprehensible and unqualifiable," accusing them of demonstrating "a profound lack of respect for the operators and drivers who provide this service daily."

The Platform Response

Bolt acknowledged the legitimacy of drivers' concerns in a statement to the Lusa news agency, saying it is "closely monitoring" the situation and conducting an evaluation of prices and driver earnings. The company said it aims to introduce measures to "mitigate the impact of these costs in the short term" while maintaining a balance between driver operating costs and passenger fares.

Uber had not publicly responded to the letter at the time of publication.

The platforms have traditionally argued that their pricing models adjust dynamically based on demand and driver availability rather than input costs like fuel. APTAD rejects this reasoning, particularly at a time when drivers are absorbing costs that have risen faster than at any point since the pandemic-era recovery.

Structural Reform on the Table

Beyond the immediate tariff dispute, APTAD is pushing for deeper changes to how the ride-hailing sector operates in Portugal. The association is calling for a minimum platform occupancy rate -- a mechanism that would cap the number of vehicles allowed to operate when demand is low, preventing the market from becoming oversaturated and driving down per-trip earnings.

The timing is significant. Portugal's law governing TVDE services -- the legal framework for ride-hailing transport -- is currently under review. APTAD sees the legislative revision as a critical opportunity to correct what it describes as structural weaknesses in a model that has favoured platform growth over driver sustainability.

Impact on Riders and the Wider Economy

For the millions of residents and visitors who rely on ride-hailing services in Portugal's cities, the dispute could eventually translate into higher fares. If platforms do adjust their pricing to reflect fuel costs, passengers in Lisbon and Porto -- where TVDE services have become deeply integrated into daily transport -- will feel the difference directly.

The broader context is one of rising transport costs across the board. Public bus operators have flagged similar fuel-driven budget pressures, while Portuguese motorists are paying significantly more at the pump than they were just months ago. The diesel price breach of two euros per litre is a psychological and financial threshold that affects logistics, delivery services, and consumer prices well beyond the ride-hailing sector.

For now, APTAD says it will continue to pressure both platforms and the government to act before drivers are forced to leave the industry entirely.