Update (April 6th): Ghana’s DVLA has asked ride hailing companies to temporarily halt the collection of the digital transportation fee
Starting from 1st April, ride sharing apps will be introducing a digital transport fee (DTF) for all riders in Ghana. This directive is from the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA).
In an email to customers, Uber made the announcement that all completed Uber rides will have a new fee will be applied and it will be set at 1 GHC per trip. For transparency, the Uber DTF will be displayed as a separate line item on your receipt.
This new DTF will be applied to all other ride sharing transport players in the country including Bolt and Yango.
Moves By Uber and Other Players In The Past
Apps like Uber has been working to accommodate its drivers. The company decreased its commission fee from 25% to 20%.
The company also increased its base fare of GHC 7.00 to GHC 8.00 and its Comfort minimum fare prices from GHC 9.00 to GHC 10.00.
Bolt has also expanded to other cities in Accra and added new features like Driver identification and incentivising drivers to take on card trips.
DVLA Regulations With Ride Hailing Apps
This would not be the first time the DVLA has sent directives to ride sharing apps. In 2019, the DVLA imposed a mandatory annual fee for ride sharing apps.
According to a source from TechEconomy, a memo was signed by Mr. Kwasi Agyeman Busia, CEO of DVLA, on March 10th, 2023.
The memo updates the Digital Transport Services Guidelines designed to ensure that ‘Digital Transport System Operators operate in compliance with the law, maintain high safety standards, and provide quality service to passengers’.
The new guidelines include the new “Digital transport fee”
Sources from TechCabal say the new guidelines mandate the registration of all private vehicles intended for commercial purposes with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority. Registered vehicles would then receive a DVLA sticker which they are required to fix onto the front windscreen of their vehicles.
The new guidelines also include new fees including Driver license verification and information search.
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