Bolt rolls out a cheaper ride-hailing service in South Africa.
Bolt, a Ride-hailing startup, has rolled out a cheaper service in South Africa dubbed, Bolt Go.
The new service has already been tried successfully in East London and Port Elizabeth and is now being rolled out to all 35 cities and towns across South Africa.
Bolt Go will make use of hatchback vehicles which cost nearly 20% less than its regular rides.
Country Manager for Bolt South Africa, Gareth Taylor said, “Smaller hatchback cars are less expensive to purchase, have lower maintenance costs, and are more fuel-efficient to operate than Bolt’s regular larger sedan cars. These lower operational costs also enable Bolt Go fares to be significantly more affordable.”
With the new service, Bolt hopes to significantly lower the barriers to entry into the South African ride-hailing industry by empowering owners and drivers of hatchback cars to access the Bolt platform and earn an income.
“Because Bolt Go has been designed for hatchback drivers, the service is not ideal for trips with lots of luggage – for example to the airport ahead of a big holiday – but it’s perfect for people wanting to quickly, safely and affordably get to work, the shops or to family – all dependent on the COVID-19 regulations at any time,” Taylor further stated.
All trips in the Bolt Go category have Bolt’s existing Trip Protection which includes a no-cost, value-added insurance product that covers all passengers and drivers across all car categories in the case of an accident or unexpected incident.
The Bolt Go category is open to standard hatchback cars in good condition with low mileage, which passes a 45-point safety inspection and that seat at least four passengers in addition to the driver.
Bolt speculated that popular models will include the likes of Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Datsun Go, and Toyota Etios.
“Our focus is on the thousands of South African drivers who rely on Bolt to connect them with passengers and earn a steady income – and enabling them to continue to earn that income to care for their families and loved ones,” Taylor added.
Bolt drivers across all categories, including Bolt Go, must have a Professional Driving Permit and pass a criminal background check before they join the platform.