Bolt (formerly Taxify), a ride-hailing company has launched its operations two Nigerian states namely-Uyo and Calabar. It is the first ride-hailing service to connect passengers with drivers in these cities.
The expansion move brings Bolt’s cities in Nigeria to a total of seven: the service is already well established in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Owerri and Benin City.
Uche Okafor, Bolt’s Regional Manager for West Africa: “After our successful launches in Nigeria’s main centres, expanding to Uyo and Calabar is a natural next step for Bolt as it further reinforces our position to make urban travel easier, quicker and more reliable. We are also looking forward to introducing flexible employment opportunities to thousands of drivers and vehicle owners in both cities”.
Bolt service is easy to use: passengers simply download the Bolt app from the iOS or Android app stores and set up a user profile. When they’re ready to ride, users open the app, set their location and their intended destination. The app will then give a cost estimate for the trip. Once passengers request the ride, the app alerts drivers nearby who accept the ride.
Uyo, now it's time for you to move smarter. We're bringing affordable, quick and reliable transport to your city.
Use the code BOLTUYO to get your first ride free.
RT for a resident of Uyo to see this.#SmarterWithBolt #BoltInUyo pic.twitter.com/yWAzGGVxDK
— Bolt Nigeria (@Boltapp_ng) May 3, 2019
Once a driver has accepted the ride, passengers will be able to see their driver’s name, photo, car make and model, and registration, as well as be able to track the driver making his or her way towards them in real time – all of which makes it easy to be sure that they get safely into the correct vehicle with the correct driver. Passengers can also share their trip details using the “share your ETA” function on the app, as an extra layer of security.
When the ride is complete, payment is made with cash, or via the debit card details, the rider entered into the app.
Before Bolt launched in Uyo and Calabar, customers wanting to hail a driver had to stand on the road, call a taxi and negotiate pricing with them. Passengers would not be able to share their travel details with friends and loved ones or contact the driver in case of forgotten items in vehicles.
To celebrate Bolt’s launch in both cities, Bolt will be offering a 20 per cent discount on all fares for the launch period and passengers can enjoy a free first ride up to N2000 with the promo codes BOLTUYO and BOLTCALABAR when they apply the promo codes using their debit cards.
Calabar can now get affordable transportation on-demand. From 12pm today we will be able to take you from Etta Agbo to Anantigha and Satellite Town.
Use the code BOLTCALABAR to get your first ride free.
Tag a Calabar resident to this post #SmarterWithBolt pic.twitter.com/j0z3NKWPbb
— Bolt Nigeria (@Boltapp_ng) May 3, 2019
Bolt has already signed drivers up to the platform in both cities, who all receive 85 per cent of all fares paid by passengers. What’s more, drivers using the platform are their own boss, as they can choose how many hours they drive, there are no monthly dues, and they can work in whichever areas they want to.
Drivers’ cars must be a 2003 vehicle model or newer. The car has to be four-door (Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, etc) and must have passed a safety inspection. This means that everyone hailing a ride through Bolt can be confident that they will get to their destination safely and comfortably.
Bolt has been hugely successful in every city where it has launched since commencing operations in Nigeria in 2016. Launching in Uyo and Calabar is particularly exciting for Bolt because everyone in these cities can now call cost-effective, quick, reliable and convenient rides from wherever they are to wherever they want to be.
Bolt, formerly known as Taxify, is the leading European transportation platform that’s focused on making urban travel easier, quicker and more reliable.
