Ride-hailing platform Bolt has issued a strong reminder to riders and drivers in Kenya to refrain from engaging in offline trips.
This caution, the company says comes as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers on its platform.
Rides arranged outside the Bolt app pose significant safety risks for both drivers and riders, as they bypass Bolt’s in-app safety measures, including trip tracking, identity verification, and emergency support systems.
Hazel May Omune, Safety Manager for Bolt Africa, emphasized the importance of adhering to Bolt’s platform for all rides saying “At Bolt, safety is our top priority. Offline trips undermine the safety features we have in place to protect our users, such as ride check, access to emergency response, and location sharing with loved ones while on trip.”
”We strongly advise both drivers and riders to use the Bolt app for all their trips to ensure their safety. By keeping rides within the app, users are guaranteed safety that our platform provides.”
Bolt’s in-app safety features include:
- Share Location: Passengers and drivers can share their real-time location and ride details—such as the vehicle’s make, model, registration number, and live location via a secure, shareable link.
- Emergency Assist: In case of an emergency, passengers and drivers can quickly and discreetly alert an emergency response team using the in-app Emergency Assist button. This feature also notifies Bolt’s safety team, who will make an immediate welfare call to ensure the situation is addressed promptly.
- Ride Check: Bolt’s safety team proactively monitors rides to detect anything unusual during a trip, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
- 24/7 Safety Support: Our dedicated safety team is available around the clock to provide assistance and support during and after trips.
Passengers are encouraged to report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior through the app for prompt investigation.
Bolt says it remains committed to creating a safe, reliable, and seamless mobility experience for all users in Kenya. The company notes that it will continue to invest in safety features and public awareness campaigns to address safety concerns in the ride-hailing industry.
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