Passengers in Lithuania are increasingly facing demands from Bolt drivers to pay extra money or leave the taxi mid-trip, as tensions rise over newly reduced service fares and tax structures.
The situation came to light after a Vilnius resident contacted LRT GIRDI regarding a trip where a driver demanded additional payment because the ride was not considered financially worthwhile. When the passenger refused to pay the extra fee, they were forced to exit the vehicle before reaching their destination, according to reports investigated by journalist Edita Vitė.
Bolt driver Vitalis Zigmantas told LRT RADIJUI that earnings have dropped significantly since early August, when platform rates were reduced without warning. Zigmantas explained that a 10-kilometer trip can cost as little as 4.00 to 4.50 euros, while operating costs for that distance run at least 3.00 euros, leaving drivers with barely 1.50 euros in profit. Consequently, some drivers accept orders only to inform passengers that the fare is unprofitable, requesting extra cash either before or after the ride.
Bolt and Union Responses to Driver Complaints
Bolt ride-hailing operations manager Laimonas Jakštys acknowledged that drivers have asked passengers to cancel trips or pay extra, but emphasized that such requests violate company terms. Jakštys urged affected passengers to report these incidents immediately so they do not happen again. Addressing the fare reductions, Jakštys noted that lower demand at the end of summer naturally affects pricing, though overall driver income depends on total order volume rather than single fares.
Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Platform Workers Trade Union argues that ride-hailing companies should not hold unilateral authority to change tariffs. Union coordinator Ignas Jonikas expressed frustration with government decisions and outlined three core demands: written employment or service contracts specifying pay and payment terms instead of random orders, transparent data on worker counts, and clear information on earnings to prevent platforms like Bolt and Wolt from maintaining total control.
Did You Know? Bolt drivers in Lithuania sign service contracts with an Estonian parent company rather than a locally registered branch, triggering an inverse Value Added Tax (VAT) mechanism where drivers must pay the VAT directly to the State Tax Inspectorate instead of the platform handling it locally.
Tax Disputes and Upcoming Protests
Driver Vitalis Zigmantas criticized the current tax setup, calculating that substantial revenue bypasses direct corporate taxation due to the Estonian corporate structure, leaving local drivers responsible for multiple tax burdens. Bolt operations manager Laimonas Jakštys defended the tax arrangement as fully legal, stating that it complies with European Union and Lithuanian tax laws as approved by the State Tax Inspectorate. Jakštys added that the inverse VAT applies only to the platform’s commission fee—which ranges between 10 and 25 percent depending on the city—and that the funds remain in Lithuania’s state budget.
Finance Minister Taurimas Valys acknowledged that the growth of ride-hailing platforms has introduced broader social and regulatory challenges, including cases where drivers swap shifts out of car trunks to continue working. Valys stressed that the government expects to address these labor and income issues comprehensively rather than through isolated tax fixes. Frustrated by the financial strain, Bolt drivers have announced plans to stage a protest titled “Paskutinės kelnės” (The Last Pants) on September 10.
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