In a bold step to enhance safety within South Africa’s ride-hailing sector, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, praised Bolt for its significant commitment to safety upgrades, amounting to R1.87 billion. The funds will support an array of enhanced tech safety features on Bolt’s platform, aimed at improving security measures for both riders and drivers. Maile applauded the announcement during Bolt’s global safety campaign launch held in Johannesburg, coinciding with South Africa’s month-long focus on the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
This investment will support Bolt’s Safety Team’s work across various critical areas, including product development, customer support, and heightened awareness of safety features. The initiative also emphasizes preventative measures, intended to minimise the occurrence of safety incidents. Bolt has assembled a dedicated Safety Team of more than 500 specialists, spanning Safety Specialists who provide 24/7 customer support from local hubs and Safety Experts based in Tallinn, Estonia, responsible for product innovation, engineering, and operations.
Maile’s appreciation of Bolt’s proactive approach highlights the unique challenges faced within Gauteng, a province with economic and demographic profiles directly tied to a higher crime rate than South Africa’s national average. “The Gauteng Provincial Government is especially grateful that Bolt South Africa has prioritised safety,” Maile stated, stressing the role of safety as both a social and economic imperative.
Strengthening Trust and Safety with Enhanced Features
In a bid to foster mutual trust between drivers and riders, Bolt announced the introduction of new trip verification features. This will include tools such as trip count and unique four-digit pickup codes, helping to better match drivers with riders. Furthermore, Bolt is scaling its Rider Verification solution to ensure only verified users are active on the platform.
Several existing features will also see significant upgrades. Among these is the Ride Check feature, designed to proactively monitor trips, detecting if the route changes unexpectedly or takes longer than usual. Additionally, the Trusted Contacts feature will allow users to designate a friend or family member to receive Ride Check alerts should any irregularities arise. Another notable feature, Record Audio, will support Bolt’s Safety Team’s investigations by enabling riders to submit in-app audio recordings with customer support queries.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Societal Safety
Bolt’s commitment has arrived at a crucial time, aligning with South Africa’s efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. Maile underscored the relevance of Bolt’s safety measures, particularly given South Africa’s struggle with GBV. “In a country battling the scourge of gender-based violence, Bolt’s safety initiatives are a welcomed addition to support our fight against this crisis,” he remarked.
Simo Kalajdzic, Bolt’s Senior Operations Manager, echoed this sentiment: “With the $100
R1,796.06 million committed over three years to safety, we recognise that an end-to-end approach is necessary for our business in South Africa.”
The initiatives mark a significant turning point in the e-hailing industry’s approach to safety, establishing Bolt as a leading advocate for rider and driver protection in South Africa. As Bolt continues to enhance its safety suite, its commitment may well set a standard in the region, supporting Gauteng’s drive for a safer, more secure environment in the ride-hailing sector.
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