Ride-hailing platform Bolt has come out to clarify its pricing and commission structure amid concerns raised by a section of EV boda boda operators.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Bolt issued the statement following peaceful protests by some operators, with the company acknowledging concerns over earnings and pricing while maintaining that the well-being of riders remains a key priority in its operations.

“We hear the concerns raised and understand that questions around earnings and fairness matter deeply to the riders who depend on our platform every day. We remain fully open to dialogue,” the company stated.

On Monday, tens of riders affiliated with the ride-hailing app took to the streets in peaceful protests, which were mainly driven by concerns over reduced trip fares, commission charges and rising operational costs within the app-based transport sector.

📌 What You Need to Know

However, Bolt clarified that the recent pricing adjustments affecting EV rides were intended to correct what it described as a longstanding pricing imbalance between electric and petrol-powered motorcycles.

According to the company, EV trips had historically been priced higher than petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) rides despite electric motorcycles having lower operating costs.

With this in mind, Bolt reiterated that the adjustment was, therefore, designed as a fairness measure aimed at aligning prices more accurately with the realities of current operations, rather than reducing riders' earnings.

The statement went on, “We corrected this by aligning EV pricing slightly below ICE, as a fairness adjustment, and not a reduction in earnings,” the company explained.

Addressing the issue of increased commissions, Bolt clarified that its commission structure was the same.

“On commissions, nothing has changed. Our commission rates remain the same as before, and any claims that Bolt has raised or imposed excessive commissions are incorrect,” the company said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke