In a move prompted by the relentless surge in fuel prices, the renowned digital taxi service provider, Bolt, has announced substantial fare adjustments across its service categories. This decision, effective immediately, is set to impact customers across Kenya.
The revised fares come in the wake of recent fuel price hikes, as determined by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which has significantly burdened the public transport sector. Bolt has deemed this adjustment essential to maintain its service quality and ensure the sustainability of its platform.
As part of the pricing modification, the base fares for Bolt rides will now range from Ksh70 ($0.47) to Ksh100 ($0.67) in various categories, including economy, base, boda, and XL. Additionally, the minimum fare for these categories will experience an increase, with a range of Ksh200 ($1.34) to Ksh250 ($1.67). Bolt has also introduced a per-kilometer pricing adjustment and a long-distance rate.
Linda Ndungu, the Country Manager for Bolt, emphasized that these changes are primarily aimed at alleviating the financial pressure on Bolt drivers who have been grappling with soaring fuel costs. She assured the public that these revised prices will be implemented across all Bolt service categories in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Naivasha, and the Mt. Kenya region networks.
Ndungu stated, “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.”
Notably, drivers utilizing Bolt’s digital taxi platform have expressed concerns over the company’s pricing model in recent times. Many have felt that the existing pricing structure penalized them by offering clients low fares despite the rapidly increasing cost of living, particularly the escalating fuel prices.
In response to these concerns, Bolt recently launched a driver engagement center to enhance relations and address drivers’ expectations regarding the management of their concerns. The company aims to maintain a balanced approach that benefits both drivers and customers.
As fuel prices continue to be a significant factor in the transportation industry’s dynamics, the adjustments made by Bolt reflect the broader challenges faced by the sector. With these fare changes, Bolt seeks to navigate this challenging economic landscape while delivering quality services to its customers and supporting its driver community.
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