Bolt launches new category for 'premium' customers

Ride-hailing operator Bolt has launched a new ride category designed to meet a growing demand for premium transport services among Nairobi’s expanding middle class and professional commuters.

Bolt Comfort was launched on Wednesday as part of a move to attract new premium passengers and increase overall trip value in an evolving urban mobility landscape.

The company projects that the Comfort category could account for up to 10% of total rides by the end of 2025 due to uptake from passengers willing to pay a modest premium for a better travel experience.

Bolt’s General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania Dimmy Kanyankole said the move was prompted by a majority of the middle-class who sought better comfort, professionalism, and reliability in their everyday transport.

“Our research shows a strong appetite among corporate and middle-income passengers for ride options that offer comfort, reliability, and professionalism. Bolt Comfort is designed to meet exactly that demand,” said Kanyankole.

Bolt says that the Comfort category will offer “spacious, newer-model vehicles, 2016 and above, mandatory air-conditioning, and access to top-rated drivers (4.8+ rating)”.

The service is initially available in high-demand areas within Nairobi and its environs, including Nairobi CBD, Westlands, Kilimani, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with estimated pickup times of under 5 minutes.

Bolt plans to expand the category citywide, extending to Kiambu County by December 2025, with a target fleet size of 1,000+ Comfort vehicles.

The ride-hailing operator also projects a rise in better riding categories due to the surge in professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate employees in the Nation, particularly in Nairobi.

“By bridging the gap between affordability and luxury, Comfort gives riders access to better vehicles and drivers at a price point that is approximately 13% lower than similar categories on other ride-hailing platforms,” Bolt noted in a statement.

Drivers enrolled in the Comfort category will benefit from improved earning potential through higher fare rates.