THE COMPLEX WORLD OF ‘MULTI-APPING’: A growing debate in the taxi and private hire vehicle industry
In the taxi and private hire sector, the rise of “multi-apping” has ignited a heated discussion. This practice, where drivers operate across multiple ride-hailing platforms simultaneously, has become common, driven by a need to maximise earnings in a highly competitive market. However, it has also exposed significant gaps in regulation, leaving questions about fair pay and working conditions unanswered.
At the heart of the debate is a fundamental question: when is a driver officially “working”? Ride-hailing operators such as Uber and Bolt define working time as the period when a passenger is onboard. Drivers are not compensated for the time they spend logged into the platform, waiting for a job to come through. This system has long been criticised, but the complexities multiply when a driver is logged into two or more apps at once.
If a driver is simultaneously available on multiple apps but not actively transporting a passenger, who bears responsibility for paying them during this time? No platform currently accounts for this idle availability, leaving drivers in a grey area where large portions of their working hours go unpaid.
Legal Challenges to Industry Practices
This issue has sparked legal challenges, particularly around fair pay for drivers. A recent Employment Tribunal ruling against Bolt has brought these practices under fresh scrutiny. The case revolved around the classification of working time and the extent to which drivers are compensated for the hours they dedicate to the platform.
The ruling highlighted the inconsistencies in how ride-hailing platforms define working time. Industry observers have noted that these inconsistencies persist ever since a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2021, which declared that Uber drivers must be treated as workers and compensated for their working time.
Speaking about the latest Bolt tribunal decision, ADCU General Secretary Zamir Dreni stated: “The ruling vindicates our position on working time and demonstrates that neither Bolt nor Uber have never fully complied with the Supreme Court ruling which means that between 40 and 60% of true working time remains unpaid.”
The Call for Government Intervention
The ongoing debate has intensified calls for legislative action to address these gaps. Campaigners argue that the current Employment Bill fails to protect gig workers adequately. They are pushing for reforms that would clarify drivers’ rights, particularly concerning pay for periods of availability.
Dreni added: “Rather than force workers back into courts for another decade of litigation, the government needs to step in now and fix the current employment bill, which omitted protections for gig workers, so that Britain’s hard working minicab drivers and delivery couriers get the protections they deserve.”
Drivers’ unions and advocacy groups believe that without clear legal standards, drivers will remain vulnerable, stuck in a system where their contributions are undervalued and underpaid.
What’s Next for Multi-Apping?
For the industry, multi-apping presents a conundrum. Platforms, and drivers themselves, have benefited from the flexibility it offers, as drivers can work for multiple services, filling gaps in supply and demand. However, the practice also complicates the legal relationship between drivers and platforms, raising questions about who ultimately holds responsibility for fair pay and working conditions for all of the time drivers are logged on to the platform.
With legal challenges ongoing and pressure mounting on policymakers, the future of multi-apping remains uncertain. Whether through court rulings or government intervention, the industry is likely to face ongoing changes in how it treats its workforce.
