Bolt records 46pc drop in offline trips after safety crackdown
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 9, 2025 – Ride-hailing platform Bolt Kenya has reported a 46 percent decrease in offline (off-app) trips over the past six months, following the rollout of enhanced safety measures targeting non-compliant ride practices.
The company attributes the sharp decline to a stricter enforcement regime, which includes proactive identification of off-app transactions, real-time ride monitoring, and an automated system to flag suspicious behavior.
The measures are designed to protect both riders and drivers by discouraging trips taken outside the Bolt app — a practice that bypasses GPS tracking, identity verification, and emergency support features.
“This decline in offline trips signals a major shift toward safer, more accountable ride-hailing behavior in the market,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania.
“It reflects the impact of our work behind the scenes to protect passengers and drivers and to ensure the integrity of every trip on our platform.”
Bolt has also introduced a zero-tolerance policy for off-app trips and expanded its driver training and passenger awareness campaigns to emphasize the risks associated with untracked rides.
The company continues to warn users against accepting offline rides, stressing that such trips expose them to safety risks and are not covered by Bolt’s in-app protections.
“Safety is not just a feature; it’s a culture we’re building across the platform, trip by trip,” added Kanyankole.
