South Africa Bolt Drivers Sound Alarm as Fuel Bills Devour Earnings

June 23, 2026 4 min read

Thabo Mokoena starts his workday at 4am to beat the traffic and maximise his earnings. By the time he finishes at 8pm, the 34-year-old Bolt driver in Johannesburg has covered roughly 250 kilometres. What he takes home, however, bears little resemblance to what he earned two years ago. "The fuel eats everything," he said. "I am working just to pay for petrol."

The Fuel Price Squeeze

South Africa's fuel prices have climbed steadily over the past 18 months, placing enormous strain on drivers who depend on their vehicles for income. Petrol and diesel prices affect nearly every sector of the economy, but for e-hailing drivers operating on thin margins, the impact is immediate and devastating. Unlike salaried workers, these drivers absorb the full cost of fuel with no employer subsidy.

The surge has forced many drivers to reassess whether the work remains viable. Some have switched to electric bicycles for short trips. Others have reduced their hours, accepting fewer passengers to conserve fuel. A growing number are leaving the platform entirely, trading the flexibility of e-hailing for steadier employment elsewhere.

How Drivers Are Coping

In Cape Town, driver Sipho Khumalo has taken to accepting only longer trips that guarantee minimum fare thresholds. "Short rides are a loss," he explained. "I spend fuel getting to the pickup, then earn almost nothing for two kilometres. It is not worth it anymore."

The strategy has trade-offs. Longer trips mean more wear on vehicles, higher maintenance costs, and increased exposure to traffic delays. For drivers still paying instalments on car loans, every kilometre represents both an opportunity and a risk. A breakdown or accident could wipe out months of earnings entirely.

Several driver groups on social media platforms have begun organising collectively, urging Bolt and other operators to raise minimum fares or introduce fuel surcharges during peak periods. So far, their requests have produced limited results.

What Platforms Are Saying

Bolt South Africa has acknowledged the pressure drivers face. The company stated that it continuously reviews its pricing structure to balance driver earnings with passenger demand. However, critics argue that platform-side changes have not kept pace with the rate of fuel price increases.

The National E-Hailing and Taxi Association, a grouping that represents thousands of drivers, has called for direct engagement with both the government and platform operators. The association argues that rising fuel costs are not simply a driver issue but a structural problem that requires coordinated action across the industry.

The Wider Economic Context

South Africa's fuel pricing is tied to international oil markets and the rand-dollar exchange rate. When oil prices rise or the rand weakens, pump prices follow. The country also imposes a fuel levy as part of its taxation framework, which means drivers and commuters pay both global prices and domestic fiscal demands.

For e-hailing drivers, this creates a double bind. They cannot pass costs to passengers through higher fares without risking a drop in demand. Yet absorbing the costs themselves leaves many unable to cover basic living expenses after fuel, vehicle maintenance, and platform fees.

Impact on Passenger Fares

Some passengers have noticed the strain. Surge pricing during peak hours has become more frequent and more pronounced. Routes that cost 80 rand six months ago now regularly exceed 120 rand during high-demand periods. For daily commuters who rely on e-hailing for work, these increases eat into already stretched household budgets.

The cost burden extends beyond individual drivers. Small fleet operators who own multiple vehicles and employ drivers on commission have also reported declining profitability. Several fleet companies have begun restructuring their fleets, retiring older fuel-intensive vehicles in favour of more efficient models where possible.

Government Response and Policy Debate

So far, the South African government has not introduced specific measures to support e-hailing drivers during the fuel price surge. Transport ministry officials have indicated that fuel pricing falls under broader energy policy discussions, and no targeted relief for gig workers is currently planned.

This leaves drivers in a difficult position. Unlike taxi operators, who benefit from certain regulatory protections and fare structures, e-hailing drivers operate in a less regulated space. They cannot easily increase prices without losing passengers to competitors or public transport alternatives.

What Drivers Are Watching Next

The next fuel price adjustment is expected in early February, when the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announces its monthly review. If international prices remain elevated and the rand stays under pressure, another increase appears likely. Drivers and platform operators alike are preparing for further cost pressure.

For now, drivers like Mokoena continue working longer hours just to maintain their current income levels. He has no plans to leave the platform, but he acknowledges that patience is wearing thin. "Every month the fuel goes up," he said. "We cannot keep up forever."

Industry observers will be watching for any policy response before the next price cycle, as well as whether major platforms announce fare structure adjustments that might ease the pressure on drivers across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and other major centres.