Dispatch companies and regions

Bolt and Uber drivers protested in Helsinki, AKT is taking self-employed workers as members

22 October 2026, updated 1 November 2026 · Taksiuutiset editorial team

Bolt and Uber drivers gathered in the parking lot of the Olympic Stadium on Thursday 22 October 2026 to demand better ride fees and more open pricing. The Auto and Transport Workers' Union AKT says it will take self-employed workers as members.

What the protest demanded

According to Iltalehti, there were an estimated hundred-plus cars at the site, and the mood was calm. Drivers demanded, according to the paper, higher ride fees, a smaller share for the platform companies and more openness in pricing. According to a press release from AKT (Auto- ja Kuljetusalan Työntekijäliitto), the demands also included a new pricing model for airport rides and rush hours, and the right to refuse a ride without penalty. Iltalehti could not reach Bolt or Uber for comment on the protest.

Bolt's estimate of driver earnings

Mikael Uusivuori, Bolt's country manager, said on Talousaamu on 30 September 2026 that in the Helsinki region the hourly takings are, in his view, between about 25 and 40 euros. According to Uusivuori, drivers' net earnings are on average about 1,500 euros a month. He specified that the estimate concerns a driver in the Helsinki region who drives mainly only through Bolt, and that drivers almost without exception also drive for other apps. The figures are estimates by the company's own manager.

AKT and organising

AKT writes in its press release that platform economy profits are taken from drivers' work and that self-employed workers lack employment security. According to chair Ismo Kokko, the price of a taxi ride of under ten euros is taken from the driver. According to AKT, one of the problems of platform work is that self-employed workers have not managed to organise, and the protest is a good push in that direction.

According to AKT-lehti, the union's second vice chair Niko Blom said at the protest that AKT changed its rules at its summer congress so that self-employed workers can also join as members. The demands and accusations are the views of the drivers and AKT.

What this means for you

• If you drive for platforms as a self-employed worker, you can join the union under AKT's rule change. Ask the union directly about the terms of membership.
• The demands concern pricing, the platform companies' share and refusing rides. Iltalehti could not reach Bolt or Uber for comment.
• The Bolt manager's earnings estimates concern the Helsinki region and do not necessarily apply elsewhere.

The article is based on information published by Iltalehti, AKT, AKT-lehti and Tekniikka&Talous, read on 1 November 2026. The parties' claims have not been checked independently.