- General Manager of Bolt Kenya Linda Ndungu has revealed that a trip anomaly detection system has been implemented, allowing the company to monitor trips in real-time and alert authorities if a journey stops unexpectedly.
- This complements ride-hailing's existing security measures, including an SOS button for emergencies, a trip-sharing feature for passengers, and increased driver training as part of its safety campaign to improve security for both passengers and drivers.
- Bolt also plans to partner with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Association of Professional Associations (APA) to maintain high safety and service quality standards for its drivers.
As part of the effort to provide a safe and reliable service to passengers while also building community trust, Ndungu confirmed that the company requests background documentation on drivers via the Police Clearance Certificate and works closely with both the NTSA and the APA to ensure that the drivers meet the necessary safety and professional standards.
Besides, the company is working to support its drivers financially, especially with vehicle financing, through a partnership with Hakki Africa, a Kenyan microfinance startup to provide drivers financing to deploy 1,500 vehicles over the next 18 months.
The startup will offer a credit scoring system and other fintech solutions tailored to Kenyan taxi drivers with limited access to traditional financial services.
This initiative helps drivers who are often unable to obtain bank loans build credit and secure vehicle financing. Qualified drivers will enjoy lower loan down payments and performance-based incentives.
In April 2024, Bolt and M-KOPA, a Nairobi-headquartered fintech platform that provides digital financial services to underbanked Africans, announced the launch of their electric motorcycle fleet in Kenya.
On this, Ndungu shared that running an electric bike is also cheaper, and the company aims to reduce the upfront cost for the riders to ensure they have more in their pocket.
In August 2024, Bolt Kenya announced a fare increase across all its ride categories by up to 10%. This decision followed a week-long protest from drivers demanding better compensation.
In response to the pricing and earnings concerns, Bolt confirmed it has engaged in numerous roundtable discussions.
“Ultimately, what we focus on is the money going to the driver’s pocket. A more sustainable approach is looking at the root cause of what is eating away at the prices,” Ndungu stated.
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She explained that drivers receive 82% of each fare, while Bolt takes an 18% commission adding that the company may adjust fares when fuel prices rise to maintain fair compensation for drivers.
