Ride-hailing firm, Bolt, has reported a 46% decline in “offline,” trips in Kenya over the past six months, a shift the company attributes to a suite of new safety measures aimed at preventing unauthorized rides.
- •The Estonian-based company, which operates in over 50 countries, said the reduction reflects improved compliance by drivers and a growing preference among riders for the safeguards offered within the app, including GPS tracking, driver ID verification, and emergency support.
- •Bolt has planned to invest over KSh 14 billion over the next three years to enhance passenger safety, funds which will be invested in rolling out a combination of automated monitoring systems, stricter enforcement policies, and expanded driver training to discourage off-platform transactions.
“Safety is not just a feature; it’s a culture we’re building across the platform, trip by trip. While we are proud of this progress, we recognize that more work lies ahead. We will continue to collaborate with industry stakeholders, regulators, and the public to raise safety standards across the board,” Dimmy Kanyankole, General Manager, Kenya and Tanzania said.
Off-app trips, where drivers and passengers agree to ride outside the app to avoid commissions, undermine both safety protocols and business models. Without digital tracking or customer support, these trips increase the risk of assault and rider accountability.
“This decline in offline trips signals a major shift toward safer, more accountable ride-hailing behavior in the market. It reflects the impact of our work behind the scenes to protect passengers and drivers and to ensure the integrity of every trip on our platform,” Kanyankole added.
The company is urging passengers to avoid offline arrangements, even when solicited by drivers, and to always use the app to ensure access to safety features, such as real-time trip monitoring and emergency alerts.
