Bolt Kenya adds a feature to stop offline trips.
Ride-sharing platform Bolt in Kenya has introduced a new feature on its app called “Driver Asked to Pay Off-the-App” to discourage riders from taking trips offline and paying off the app.
Aimed at reducing offline trips, the new feature enables riders to take immediate action if they encounter situations where the driver asks for payment for a trip outside the app, including if they ask riders for payments over the set fare or to cancel the trip to go offline.
The ride-sharing platform encouraged drivers and passengers to use the safety features in the app’s Safety Toolkit designed for active (in-app) driving.
“We’re happy to introduce our latest cancellation option, designed to cut down on offline trips and address instances where drivers insist on charging rates exceeding those on the app,” explained Bolt Kenya Country Manager Linda Ndungu in a statement.
She added that the company discourages both drivers and riders from using the platform to exchange contact details or negotiate for offline trips.
“This goes against the safety and reliability we aim to uphold for our users. When drivers and riders go offline, essential safety features like GPS tracking and SOS coverage in the app become inactive, leaving users vulnerable and without access to critical in-app safety tools,” Ndungu continued.
Therefore, she said remaining online ensures the effectiveness of these features and prioritizes the safety of the app’s users.
Ndungu added that mitigating actions were in place for drivers consistently reported as soliciting offline rides.
“These actions include temporary bans and account suspensions, as we remain dedicated to providing a secure platform for everyone,” she added.
Ride-sharing platforms beef up security
Bolt is not the only platform doubling down on user safety – its competitor Uber has also recently introduced several features focusing on this issue.
In August 2023 Uber South Africa launched an opt-in audio-recording feature that allows riders and drivers to record their trips in case of safety incidents.
In Nigeria, Uber launched an in-app emergency service feature that provides on-demand security and medical response for riders and drivers while on a trip.
The Nigerian safety feature was announced in August 2023 when Uber Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) announced it was expanding into eight more cities across Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Bolt’s new “Driver Asked to Pay Off-the-App” feature comes on the back of the company’s 13.4 billion Kenyan shillings (US$106 million at the time) investment to expand its services beyond the 16 towns it operates.
Bolt to invest $530M in Africa
Ride-sharing platform Bolt has announced its plans to invest €500 million (US$530 million) in its operations on the African continent over the next two years.
The funds will be used to expand Bolt services in Africa and create opportunities for over 300,000 new drivers and couriers to join the platform in 2023, the company said in a statement.
The e-hailing platform was launched in South Africa in 2016, and now operates ride-hailing and delivery services in six countries – Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
“Over the past seven years, we have built a strong team of 500 people in Africa, and we remain committed to investing in local communities for the long term,” said Bolt CEO and founder Markus Villig.
“At a time when many countries are facing economic challenges, we will continue to grow our presence in Africa through this new investment which offers massive potential to create new jobs and income opportunities for drivers and couriers,” Villig continued.
Kenyan cash injection
Bolt has also announced that it will invest 13.4 billion Kenyan shillings (US$106 million) in its Kenyan arm to expand its services beyond the 16 towns it operates.
The company added that the investment in Kenya is set to intensify the mounting competition in the industry, which has seen operators expand their geographical reach across the country while adding new transport services under their platforms.
“Bolt shall double down on increasing its footprint across Kenya by expanding its services into more cities and town centers. This will provide access to affordable and quality services to customers while providing earning opportunities for drivers in Kenya,” Bolt Kenya Country Manager Linda Ndung’u told Business Daily.
Bolt’s regional manager for East and Southern Africa, Takura Malaba, explained that while many companies are scaling back investments because of the macroeconomic environment, the company recognizes the transformational effect it can have in Africa.
“We operate in markets where unemployment is often high and by continuing to expand our services, we will offer people new opportunities to earn a good living by being a driver, as well as providing millions of customers with a safe, reliable, and affordable way of moving around their city,” Malaba added.
Bolt is not the only company in this sector to have expansion plans: Uber sub-Saharan Africa announced in September 2022 that it is expanding into eight more cities across Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
