Bolt To Let Drivers Name Their Price In Kenya

Bolt has introduced a major market innovation by allowing drivers to set their own prices and passengers to select their driver.

With this innovation, it is designed to make the Bolt platform even more attractive to drivers by putting them firmly in control of their entrepreneurial journey.

Drivers have consistently requested more flexibility over pricing, with many currently choosing to accept and then reject trips if a more profitable journey becomes available elsewhere, leading to a poor rider experience.

Drivers will be able to set their own prices within a range of price per Km to reflect their own preferences and local market conditions. Alternatively, they can elect to continue to use Bolt’s dynamic standard pricing. The moves are expected to lead to a better functioning marketplace.

In an effort to ensure riders a greater trip experience, passengers can now manually select a preferred driver based on a number of factors such as price fare, expected time of arrival, and driver rating. In addition to these factors, riders can also see additional information such as Driver Photo, Driver Name, and Car Details to help empower their decision for their trip.

Bolt will be piloting these new features in Nairobi as the first market in Africa. The company has grown rapidly in Kenya due to its competitive commission model which results in high earnings for drivers and lower prices for passengers. Bolt has over 50 000 drivers and hundreds of thousands of customers in Kenya across 17 cities having launched in Nairobi in 2017.

Speaking about the changes, Kenneth Micah, Bolt’s Regional Manager for East Africa said: “Drivers have consistently asked us for the ability to set their own prices so they can ensure a journey is profitable enough before it’s accepted. We have built our business around giving drivers total flexibility. These changes are part of that philosophy and will create a better functioning marketplace. While driver needs are met, it was just as critically important to ensure riders enjoy the same liberty by selecting a driver of their choice for their trip. This is another way we are ensuring riders know that the drivers with impeccable ratings are available for their trip. We hope that this will result in great experiences for both stakeholders as we continue to find innovative solutions for pleasant experiences”