TVDE platforms deny that drivers are paid less than the national minimum wage

TVDE platforms deny that there are drivers working 40 hours a week and earning less than the national minimum wage (SMN). They argue that the sector continues to grow and that this is "a clear indicator that TVDE is attractive , not only in terms of the nature of the activity, but also in terms of income ."

“Such an allegation does not correspond to reality”, reacts an official source from Uber to the complaint made by the president of the Association of Transporters in Unmarked Vehicles (APTAD), Ivo Miguel Fernandes, in an interview with ECO , that the values ​​passed on by the TVDE platforms to the operators did not cover the operating costs and that this resulted in drivers with 40 hours of work per week taking home earnings in the order of 550 to 650 euros per month , values ​​below the national minimum wage (870 euros, at the moment).

"The sector has been growing, as evidenced by IMT data , which shows consistent monthly growth throughout the first half of 2025. Now, in a labor market with historically low unemployment and labor shortages in various sectors such as tourism and construction, continued growth is a clear indicator that TVDE is attractive, not only in the nature of the activity, but also in terms of income ," Uber reinforces.

The platform highlights the growth in the number of drivers — "in a scenario of greater restrictions on access to the activity, with the introduction of the mandatory exam at IMT exam centers" — and the increase in fleets made by operators — "in a clear commitment and confidence in the growth of the sector, only possible in a scenario of clear economic sustainability" — as signs that the sector is profitable.

" The overwhelming majority of operators and drivers are satisfied with their experience on the Uber platform," says an official company source. "In 2024, TVDE operators, restaurants, and couriers earned more than €900 million through Uber and Uber Eats in Portugal, an increase from €500 million in 2023," he adds.

And Bolt says the same. "Our data shows us that, in fact, TVDE drivers who work 40 hours a week can earn a net income very close to the national average salary ," Mário de Morais, Bolt's ride-hailing manager in Portugal, told ECO.

The sector is not a “company graveyard”

The platforms also contradict the idea that the sector “is not sustainable” and that “the platforms are operating on a company graveyard” , denounced by the APTAD president, stating, according to IMT data from August, that of the nearly 21,800 certified operating companies, only 13,500 are in operation.

"The data shows that there are more cars in operation, as well as companies, at a monthly rate — meaning that the market has maintained constant net growth over the last four years ," says Bolt's Mário de Morais.

And competitor Uber says the same, using INE data on the sector. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of companies tripled from 10,300 to 29,000, with occasional passenger business in light vehicles quadrupling, generating annual revenue of around €1 billion (€760 million more than in 2013, with Uber arriving in Portugal in 2014), it states. " These figures prove that the TVDE sector is not only sustainable, but has also brought more jobs, more companies, and more tax revenue, which has practically tripled ," the platform concludes.

" There are several factors that lead to company closures that have nothing to do with the sector's sustainability , of which the number of drivers is the best indicator. We're seeing smaller companies opting to consolidate, drivers choosing to drive in larger fleets due to the scale of negotiating fuel prices, insurance, accounting efficiency, among other reasons, as well as companies whose focus has changed. This shows that the reduction in the number of companies (along with the growth of larger companies) cannot be interpreted as a negative factor ," he emphasizes.

APTAD's recommendation that vehicles should have an occupancy ratio above 70% to define new driver entries is rejected by the platforms.

" Imposing artificial limits would have negative effects not only for consumers, but also for TVDE operators and urban mobility," argues Uber. "In a naturally competitive market subject to strong variations in demand throughout the day, week, or year, strict rules would result in an imbalanced supply, with longer wait times, less balanced prices , and, in the medium term, fewer trips completed. This would mean lower revenues for drivers and operators," the platform states. When questioned by ECO, it did not disclose the average occupancy rate of Uber-connected cars , as it is "a sensitive business indicator."

Bolt also doesn't disclose its current vehicle occupancy rate, but believes this metric isn't the best way to assess market health. "Occupancy correlates with the time a driver spends on the road, and it's not the metric we consider most accurate for assessing market quality. In our view, the most important metric to consider is overall monthly compensation, and the numbers should always be viewed from a multiplatform perspective, as drivers and partner fleets are always free to choose the platform they work on at any time," argues Bolt's Mário de Morais.

Delay in arrival of vehicles is due to increased demand

Higher trip rejection rates and delayed arrival of TVDE vehicles: this experience is reported by many users. The platforms attribute this to high demand , not increased oversight of the sector or a lack of drivers.

"This causal relationship doesn't make much sense, because, as I said, the number of drivers certified by the IMT to work in the sector, as well as the number of vehicles, continues to increase," begins Mário de Morais. " What's actually happening is that we have more and more travel requests —there will, of course, occasionally be some saturation of supply. With the market for completed trips growing at double digits, we see a healthy situation and positive prospects for the sector ," says Bolt's ride-hailing manager.

“ When supply, at a given time, is unbalanced compared to demand, it can lead to longer wait times ,” notes Uber.

"At Uber, drivers have complete autonomy to accept or decline trips, without penalty. We understand that rejecting requests can result in longer wait times in certain situations, but we are committed to service reliability," he says.