Ride-hailing platform Bolt has added three distinct ride categories to its Kenyan app, expanding the choices available to passengers.
The Priority tier lets riders pay a premium for quicker driver matching, targeting users with time-sensitive travel plans. Wait and Save offers lower fares to customers willing to wait longer for a ride, aimed at cost-conscious passengers during busy periods. Ride by Hour enables users to book a vehicle for one or two hours at a fixed hourly price, with no extra charge for multiple stops.
“These categories give customers more control over how they travel, whether they want a faster pick-up, a lower fare by waiting for demand to ease, or the flexibility of having a car for multiple stops,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s senior general manager for rides in East Africa.
Bolt says the new options also create benefits for drivers. Priority trips are higher-value, while Wait and Save attracts riders who might otherwise avoid a ride when prices are high. The hourly model is intended to provide more predictable earnings and reduce disputes over waiting time and extra stops.
Drivers remain free to accept or decline any request, and the Priority service is offered alongside, not in place of, standard rides. The rollout follows the earlier launch of Bolt Plus, a subscription service that provides ride cashback and free food delivery.
