Taxi hailing company Bolt has unveiled its latest safety feature, rider verification, to enhance driver safety.
In a statement on December 20, Bolt said the move is part of Bolt’s ongoing investment in enhancing safety features on its platform.
It also seeks to strengthen driver-rider trust and incentivize drivers to accept more orders, which translates to more earning opportunities and an overall faster, more efficient experience for riders.
“We are excited to introduce rider verification, currently on a trial basis, reinforcing our dedication to setting industry safety standards,” said Linda Ndungu, Country Manager, Bolt.
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Consequently, the firm said as part of this in-app feature, riders will be asked to take a selfie before requesting a trip from Bolt.
“For the selfie to be valid, it needs to be an authentic picture of a physically present person, with the face clearly visible.
The rider will not be able to place an order if their selfie is not valid. The validation process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and riders only have to take a selfie the first time they place an order,” stated Bolt.
Bolt Safety Features
Rider verification is Bolt’s latest safety feature, joining a suite of existing driver safety features, including:
- 24/7 safety support
- Rider management for blocking customers with inappropriate behaviour
- Phone masking to safeguard Bolt drivers’ phone numbers during rider communication
- Trip monitoring alerts that promptly notify Bolt’s safety team if a driver’s vehicle remains stationary for an extended period, ensuring overall safety
Also Read: Bolt to Invest Sh66.9B to Expand Services in Africa
“Rider verification is the newest feature dedicated to upgrading driver safety.
“It’s part of our ongoing investment in new products, features, and our dedicated in-house specially trained safety team, to ensure that we can continue to improve the safety ecosystem of the Bolt app,” added Ndungu.
