Ride-hailing firm Bolt has announced a 6 per cent fare increase in a move aimed at easing pressure on drivers grappling with rising fuel costs while maintaining affordable rides for customers.
The company said the adjustment follows sustained concerns from driver partners over the increasing cost of operations, particularly fuel prices.
Bolt said it has been engaging drivers and industry stakeholders to understand the challenges facing operators and identify ways to balance driver earnings with rider demand.
“Our driver partners are at the heart of our platform, and their ability to earn sustainably is critical to the entire ecosystem,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager for Rides in East Africa.
“This fare adjustment is part of a broader effort to respond meaningfully to their concerns, particularly around fuel prices, while ensuring that our service remains accessible and dependable for riders.”
The company said the 6 per cent increase would still keep Bolt among the most competitively priced ride-hailing platforms in the market.
According to Kanyankole, better driver earnings are expected to improve service delivery by attracting more drivers onto the platform.
“Ultimately, we believe that better-paid drivers mean more drivers on the roads, leading to shorter wait times, improved service quality, and a more consistent rider experience,” he said.
Bolt said it had carefully modelled the increase and believes the adjustment fell within rider price tolerance levels, helping to protect trip volumes while ensuring drivers continued receiving sufficient ride requests.
The company also said it is investing in demand generation campaigns, partnership programmes and peak-time surge readiness initiatives to boost ride volumes.
In addition to the fare adjustment, Bolt said it is exploring other long-term measures to improve driver experience and earnings.
These include platform enhancements, efficiency improvements and continued engagement with drivers to ensure their concerns are reflected in company decisions.
“We understand that price changes affect both drivers and riders, and we have taken a thoughtful approach to ensure that this adjustment supports the sustainability of our platform for everyone,” Kanyankole said.
“We remain committed to listening, adapting, and building a service that works for all
