In a proactive move to foster safer e-hailing experiences, industry leader Bolt has introduced a cutting-edge in-app cancellation feature aimed at discouraging riders from engaging in offline trips. The company’s recent statement outlines this innovative step, which aligns with Bolt’s commitment to maintaining the safety and reliability of its platform.
Bolt has taken a robust stance against drivers involved in soliciting offline trips, implementing consequential measures that include temporary account blocking and account suspensions. These actions underscore the company’s dedication to curbing the practice of negotiating fares outside the app, a trend that exposes both riders and drivers to potential risks.
Emphasizing user safety, Bolt recently rolled out two additional safety features – trip monitoring and driver alerts. These features serve to proactively engage with users and equip drivers with valuable information about upcoming trips in flagged safety concern areas.
Offline trips, a phenomenon where riders and drivers negotiate fares outside the app, have seen a rise, often driven by drivers seeking alternative income streams. In such scenarios, riders are encouraged to cancel ongoing trips and pay offline, enabling drivers to collect the entire trip fare rather than the typical fraction split between Bolt and the vehicle owner.
The newly introduced cancellation option empowers riders to take swift action in situations where drivers demand payment outside the app or exceed agreed-upon trip fares. Under specific circumstances, riders can now select the option ‘driver asked to pay off-the-app,’ reinforcing Bolt’s commitment to user safety.
Sandra Suzanne Buyole, Public Relations Manager at Bolt Africa, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the latest cancellation option, stating, “We’re happy to introduce our latest cancellation option, designed to cut down on offline trips and address instances where drivers insist on charging rates exceeding those on the app.”
Bolt strongly discourages both drivers and riders from arranging offline trips, emphasizing the compromise to safety and reliability. Offline trips deactivate critical safety features like GPS tracking and SOS coverage, leaving users without access to essential in-app safety tools.
The rollout of this advanced cancellation feature spans various regions of Africa, including South Africa, with Bolt underscoring the importance of staying online to ensure the effectiveness of safety and emergency features. The move reflects Bolt’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing user safety across all facets of its service.