Bolt Nigeria has unveiled a stringent approach to curb drivers seeking offline trips, revealing plans to suspend the accounts of those engaging in this practice.
This initiative, highlighted in an official statement, is a proactive measure aimed at enhancing rider safety and dissuading users from conducting transactions outside the Bolt app.
A key component of this strategy is the introduction of a novel feature in the Bolt app, allowing riders to cancel trips under specific circumstances, such as when a driver requests payment off-the-app.
This feature empowers users to take immediate action if faced with situations where drivers seek payment for trips conducted offline, propose fares beyond the agreed-upon amount, or encourage trip cancellations to operate outside the app.
Yahaya Mohammed, the Country Manager for Bolt Nigeria, emphasised the company’s commitment to discouraging both drivers and riders from utilising the platform to negotiate offline agreements or exchange contact details.
This stance is grounded in Bolt’s dedication to maintaining a safe and reliable ride-hailing environment for its users.
The newly implemented cancellation feature is designed to mitigate instances where drivers insist on charging rates exceeding those specified within the app.
Mohammed explained that staying online is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of essential safety features like GPS tracking and SOS coverage within the app, which become inactive during offline trips, leaving users vulnerable.
For drivers consistently reported for soliciting offline trips, Bolt has implemented measures such as temporary bans and account suspensions to underscore its dedication to providing a secure platform for all users.
In response to external factors like fuel price hikes and rising inflation impacting drivers’ earning power, offline trips have become more prevalent.
Drivers, seeking to offset these challenges, have turned to offline agreements after initially using ride-hailing apps for hailing purposes.
Bolt’s proactive measures, including empowering riders with the ability to report drivers engaging in offline negotiations, reflect the company’s unwavering focus on rider and driver safety.
Bolt emphasises the potential risks associated with offline trips, citing the deactivation of GPS tracking and SOS coverage during such rides, making both the driver and rider untraceable on the platform in case of accidents or emergencies.
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