Taxi hailing company Bolt has introduced a new safety feature that allows riders to cancel offline trips.
In a statement on January 11, 2024, the company revealed that the new cancellation feature is aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of users.
“Bolt has introduced a new cancellation option aimed at deterring users on its platform from taking offline trips and paying off the app,” read part of the statement.
The new feature will further allow riders to cancel a trip by selecting the option ‘driver asked to pay off-the-app’ under specific circumstances.
Additionally, the feature empowers riders to take immediate action should they encounter specific situations with the drivers.
These include situations where divers ask for payment for a trip outside the app and requests payment exceeding the agreed-upon trip fare.
Also, riders will be able to use the feature if a driver encourages cancellation of the trip to goes offline.
Offline trips
Making the announcement, Bolt country manager Linda Ndungu said the feature is designed to cut down offline trips.
“Our latest cancellation option is designed to cut down on offline trips and address instances where drivers insist on charging rates exceeding those on the app,” she said.
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Linda further stated that the taxi-hauling company strongly discourages both drivers and riders from using the platform to exchange contact details.
This, she noted, goes against the safety and reliability which the company aims to uphold for their users.
“When drivers and riders go offline, essential safety features like GPS tracking and SOS coverage in the app become inactive, leaving users vulnerable and without access to critical in-app safety tools,” she added.
Furthermore, she asserted that remaining online ensures the effectiveness of the essential safety features, prioritizing the users’ safety.
According to the statement, drivers reported soliciting offline trips also risk facing account suspensions and temporary bans.
Bolt rider verification
In December, the company unveiled its rider verification safety feature to enhance driver safety.
In a statement on December 20, Bolt said the move was part of Bolt’s ongoing investment in enhancing safety features on its platform.
It also aimed to strengthen driver-rider trust and incentivize drivers to accept more orders, translating to more earning opportunities.
Also Read: Bolt Cracks Whip, Drops 5,000 Drivers
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.
