Najaf ride-hailing app drivers protest ‘peanuts’ fares, call for pricing review

NAJAF — Drivers working with the Baly ride-hailing application staged a protest Tuesday in Al-Sadrain Square, calling for a review of pricing policies and adjustments to fare calculations in line with current living conditions.

Drivers said fares are too low compared with distances traveled, describing them as “peanuts” and saying the rates result in monthly losses.

Mohammed al-Fatlawi, one of the organizers, told 964media: “Our protest today comes in objection to unfair prices that directly affect drivers’ income and their living stability.”

“We work from morning until night, covering long distances, and the fares are ‘peanuts’ — where is the fairness?” he said.

Amir Abdul Amir, a representative of electronic taxi drivers, said: “The captain is the weakest link because he is a head of household who depends entirely on this work as his sole source of income, and any flaw in the pricing mechanism directly impacts his bread and butter.”

“We are not targeting any specific party for escalation, but we demand fair market regulation and equitable pricing that preserves the driver’s rights as well as the passenger’s rights,” he added.

Abdul Amir said drivers will “continue demanding our rights through legal and peaceful means” and “boycott any party that adopts policies harmful to drivers.”

Akram Sharba, a member of the Najaf governorate council, told 964media that local authorities cannot interfere in the operations of a private company.

“As for the taxi owners, they should not work for this company if they see it as unsuitable or unfair to them. They can work independently or with another company,” he said.

Sharba said the company offers competitive promotions that benefit citizens. “For example, from north Najaf to al-Janouba it may cost two or three thousand dinars. These are company offers. It is a private company, and it sets prices, but they are not excessive. They serve the citizen’s interest.”