Bolt increases fares to cushion drivers from soaring fuel prices

Taxi-hailing company Bolt has revised its fare prices to cushion its drivers from the recent fuel price hike by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

In Nairobi, Bolt says the increased prices have been effected in all categories with the base fare ranging from KES. 70 and KES. 100 across the Economy, Base, Boda and XL categories.

The minimum fare has also been increased, with a range of KES. 200 and KES. 250 across the categories. Bolt has also increased per-kilometre pricing and introduced a long distance rate.

Linda Ndungu, Country Manager, said “At Bolt, the interests of our driver community remain at the heart of our business and we truly believe that happy drivers provide better quality service for customers. As such, we have adjusted our pricing to mitigate the rising fuel costs. This adjustment reaffirms our commitment to offering top earnings for drivers on our platform, and to remain the preferred, cost-effective choice for our customers.”

Price changes will also be implemented across all categories in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Naivasha and Mt. Kenya region.

Last week, EPRA announced an increase in fuel prices with a litre of petrol increasing by Ksh.5.72, while diesel went up by Ksh4.48. Kerosene, on the other hand, was hiked by Ksh2.45.

The fuel price increments have continued to squeeze key economic drivers as well as household budgets resulting in an unprecedented sky-high cost of living which has also affected Bolt drivers.

Bolt says it acknowledges that the drivers on its platform are of utmost importance, and so remains committed to enhancing their earnings, increasing demand, and enhancing their experience when they provide services on the platform.

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