Bolt offers three ride options for different budgets and travel needs.
Bolt introduces three options that let passengers pay for quicker matching, wait for lower fares or book a car for several stops.
New Bolt ride categories give customers more choice over fares, pick-up times and journeys with multiple stops. The options are Priority, Wait and Save, and Ride by Hour.
Bolt says the changes address different travel needs while creating additional earning opportunities for drivers. Customers can check the available categories in the app and choose one that suits their journey.
How Bolt ride categories balance cost and waiting
Priority lets passengers pay a premium for faster matching with a driver. Bolt says this could shorten pick-up waits for time-sensitive journeys, including airport transfers, appointments and urgent meetings.
The option also gives drivers access to higher-value trips, the company says. However, drivers remain free to accept or reject requests.
Meanwhile, Wait and Save offers customers a lower fare in return for a longer wait. The option targets passengers who can adjust their schedules, particularly when demand is high.
Bolt says lower fares could encourage journeys that customers might otherwise postpone when prices rise. As a result, the company expects the category could generate more ride requests for drivers.
Hourly bookings cover journeys with several stops
Ride by Hour allows passengers to book a car for one or two hours at a fixed hourly rate. Unlike distance-based pricing, the charge depends on the booking time.
The category caters for shopping trips, errands and business visits involving several destinations. Customers can therefore move between stops without arranging a separate ride for each leg.
They also avoid additional per-stop charges during the booked period. For drivers, Bolt says hourly bookings offer more predictable earnings and may reduce disagreements about waiting and extra stops.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for Rides in East Africa, said the options give passengers greater control over travel. He also said the company aims to help drivers secure more trips, reduce idle time and earn through the platform.
