Bolt upgrades safety on the platform by helping driver partners identify riders.
Johannesburg, May 2024 – Bolt, the leading on-demand mobility platform in Africa, is enhancing safety on its platform in South Africa by introducing rider profile photos. Now, riders can take a photo of themselves and add it to their Bolt profile, a move aimed at improving safety for both riders and driver-partners.
Starting soon, driver-partners can view the rider’s photo during pickup and throughout the trip. This additional identification step will help ensure driver-partners pick up the correct person, enhancing safety measures.
How to add a photo
- Open the Bolt app menu
- Select View Profile
- Select the edit button to take a photo.
- Photos cannot be uploaded from the gallery; they must be taken in real time*
In the event that a driver feels uncomfortable because the rider’s photo does not match the person at the pick-up point, they have the option to decline the trip, further prioritising safety.
This new feature complements existing safety measures on the platform, such as the in-app safety toolkit, which allows driver-partners to share ride details with loved ones, access emergency assistance, and even trigger an audio recording of the trip if needed.
Additionally, Bolt’s trip safety monitoring automatically checks in with riders and driver-partners if a vehicle remains stationary for an extended period, ensuring everything is okay. Driver alerts also help identify areas with a high volume of safety concerns reported by both drivers and riders.
Sandra Buyole, PR Manager at Bolt, said, “At Bolt, we’re committed to providing our driver partners with the information they need to deliver a top-notch ride-hailing experience. Enabling drivers to identify riders accurately is a crucial step towards enhancing safety on our platform and building trust between all parties involved.”