In a significant move aimed at prioritising driver safety and satisfaction, Bolt, a prominent player in the ride-sharing industry in Kenya, has implemented measures to address critical concerns its driver community have raised over time.
Three significant challenges have come to the forefront: slow approval of new drivers and vehicles, App safety features and concerns over compensation compared to competitors. However, Bolt told NewsTrendsKE Friday the company was actively working towards resolving them.
The slow approval process for new drivers and vehicles has been attributed to recent downtimes experienced by essential government databases, including the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). These databases play a pivotal role in verifying driver documents and vehicle information.
Bolt said they continue to rely exclusively on verified documentation from government sources to uphold safety and regulatory compliance. However, the company is exploring alternative solutions to expedite this process and will communicate these alternatives to drivers soon.
In response to concerns about driver earnings in a competitive market, Bolt has committed to offering competitive net earnings for its drivers. However, the company acknowledged the impact of rising fuel prices and is taking steps to adjust pricing accordingly in the coming weeks. Bolt said this proactive approach ensures drivers on the platform continue earning competitive incomes.
New Driver Safety Alerts In-App Feature
In addition to addressing these challenges, Bolt announced it was taking an even more substantial step towards enhancing driver safety.
The company has introduced driver safety alerts as a crucial feature to ensure the well-being of its driver community. These alerts provide in-app notifications to drivers with more detailed trip information, including areas deemed unsafe based on previous driver and rider safety cases reported to Bolt’s Customer Support team. Notably, drivers will have the option to decline trips in these areas without any negative impact on their driver score.
Linda Ndungu, a spokesperson for Bolt, stated, “In response to feedback from our driver partners, we are introducing driver alerts. These alerts enhance safety by providing more trip information that helps drivers make informed decisions. We have integrated advanced technology within our app to provide real-time notifications and alerts to drivers regarding potentially unsafe areas. This feature adds to the in-app safety toolkit that has been developed to provide safety measures for both riders and drivers.”
