Prague Drivers Unite: Bolt and Uber Workers Kick Off Fresh Strike!

Drivers for Bolt and Uber have initiated another strike in the capital of the Czech Republic, echoing a demonstration that took place just one week earlier.

Last time, numerous drivers opted not to accept rides, which led to longer wait times and left many passengers without available transportation options.

This Monday, the protest has expanded in size and organization, as two distinct groups of drivers are taking part in various ways.

The first group, organized by the Lucky Taxi Association, kicked off their strike at 4:00 a.m. and is planning to conclude it at 12:00 noon. They have made their specific demands known through their official communication channels.

In contrast, a second group of drivers is staging a comprehensive 24-hour strike, which commenced at 6:00 a.m. on Monday and will continue until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

This protest also features a public demonstration that has been officially registered with Prague City Hall. The organizers anticipate that between 500 and 1,000 vehicles will gather in the parking lot of the Tesco hypermarket located in Letňany between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.

At 12:00 p.m., the drivers plan to proceed in a slow-moving convoy through the heart of the city, concluding in Čestlice, a suburb located southeast of Prague.

Drivers Call for Fairer Working Conditions

“We, the taxi drivers in Prague, are unhappy with the current working conditions and demand urgent changes,” stated the group in a message shared with the media.

They point to a decline in fares by 25–30% over the last three years, while the costs for fuel, insurance, car upkeep, and housing continue to increase.

Additionally, the group claims that both Uber and Bolt impose commissions as high as 35% without contributing taxes within the Czech Republic. Drivers have to operate as independent contractors under IČO licenses, meaning they are liable for 21% VAT payments on top of their operating costs.

The primary demands of the drivers include:

• Establishing official fare levels as determined by Prague City Hall:

• Reducing the commission rates from the current 25–35% to a more manageable 15–20%.

• Creating a flexible commission model that lowers fees based on the number of successful trips completed.

• Enforcing mandatory registration of Uber and Bolt in accordance with Czech trade licensing and VAT requirements.

• Abolishing Bolt’s “Economy” tier, which drivers claim makes their income untenable.

“If we do not receive a response to our demands, we are prepared to escalate our actions with a two-day strike scheduled for April 20–21,” the organizers warned. “We are willing to engage in discussions and are awaiting an official reply.”