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Bolt Expands Ride Options with More Flexibility on Cost and Convenience
Priority, Wait and Save, and Ride by Hour give customers more travel choices while creating additional earning opportunities for drivers.
Bolt has expanded its ride-hailing options in Kenya, giving customers more control over travel time, cost and convenience. The new options include faster pick-ups, lower fares for customers willing to wait, and hourly bookings for journeys with multiple stops.
The three categories-Priority, Wait and Save, and Ride by Hour-cater to different travel needs. At the same time, they create additional opportunities for drivers to access ride requests and earn through the platform.
Bolt Expands Ride Options with More Flexibility on Cost and Convenience
Bolt Priority Offers Faster Pick-Ups
Priority is designed for customers who need to reach their destinations quickly. By choosing the category and paying a premium, riders can be matched with a driver faster.
For example, the option may suit customers heading to meetings, catching flights or travelling to important appointments. It offers an alternative when reducing waiting time matters.
Meanwhile, Priority creates opportunities for drivers to access higher-value trips. It may also help them reduce idle time between rides and improve their earning potential. However, drivers remain free to choose which trips they accept.
Wait and Save Offers Lower Fares
Customers with flexible schedules can choose Wait and Save to pay less for a ride. The option allows riders to wait for demand to ease rather than pay more during peak periods.
As a result, customers who do not need to travel immediately have another way to manage transport costs.
The category can also help drivers reach customers who might otherwise postpone their trips when fares are higher. In turn, this could generate additional ride requests and create more opportunities for drivers to complete trips.
Ride by Hour Caters to Multi-Stop Journeys
For customers with several errands to run, Ride by Hour offers a different booking option. Riders can book a car for one or two hours at a fixed hourly rate, with pricing based on time rather than distance.
The service is suited to shopping, business visits and other journeys involving multiple stops. Instead of booking separate rides, customers can use the booked time to complete several activities.
Additionally, the model provides drivers with more predictable earnings for the booked period. It may also reduce disagreements over waiting times and additional stops.
Bolt Says New Categories Support Riders and Drivers
Commenting on the expanded options, Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager, Rides, East Africa, said the categories respond to different customer needs while creating more opportunities for drivers.
“These categories give customers more control over how they travel, whether they want a faster pick-up, a lower fare by waiting for demand to ease, or the flexibility of having a car for multiple stops.
“We’re responding to the different needs of riders while creating more opportunities for drivers to access trips, reduce idle time and earn on the platform. Ultimately, it’s about giving people more choice in how they get around, without compromising on the convenience they expect from ride-hailing,” Kanyankole said.
Together, the three options give customers more ways to balance cost, time and convenience. They also offer drivers additional ways to access demand and earn through the platform.
Bolt says it continues to develop services that reflect everyday travel needs. Beyond price, the company highlights reliability, flexibility and access to suitable ride options.
Customers can view the available categories in the Bolt app and select the option that best suits their journey.
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