NAIROBI, Kenya – Bolt has introduced three ride-hailing options in Kenya that allow customers to choose between faster pick-ups, lower fares and hourly car bookings, giving riders more control over how they spend their money and time.
The new categories — Priority, Wait and Save, and Ride by Hour — target different travel needs, from commuters who cannot afford to wait to customers running several errands in one trip.
Announced on Thursday, October 29, the options also aim to create additional earning opportunities for drivers by attracting more ride requests and reducing idle time.
The changes give customers an alternative to choosing rides solely on the basis of price or availability, with each category designed around a different balance of convenience, cost and flexibility.
Pay More for a Faster Pick-Up
Priority is designed for customers who need a driver sooner and are willing to pay extra for faster matching.
The option could appeal to passengers heading to airports, important meetings, medical appointments or other destinations where delays may have consequences.
Bolt says the category can also create access to higher-value trips for drivers. However, drivers retain the freedom to accept or reject ride requests.
Priority matching does not necessarily guarantee a particular pick-up time, as availability will still depend on factors such as driver supply and demand.
Wait Longer to Pay Less
For customers more concerned about their budgets than immediate pick-up, Wait and Save offers a lower-fare alternative in exchange for a longer wait.
The option is intended to appeal particularly during periods of high demand, when customers may face higher prices or struggle to secure a ride quickly.
Rather than paying a premium for speed, passengers can accept a longer wait in exchange for potential savings.
Bolt says the option could also help drivers receive more ride requests from customers who might otherwise delay or cancel their journeys because of high fares.
The actual fare and waiting time will depend on what is available through the app when a customer requests a ride.
Hourly Bookings Target Customers Making Multiple Stops
The third category, Ride by Hour, takes a different approach by allowing customers to book a vehicle for one or two hours at a fixed hourly rate.
Instead of calculating the fare primarily by distance, the model charges according to the booked time. It is intended for journeys involving several destinations, such as shopping trips, business visits and personal errands.
Under Bolt’s Kenya driver guidance, customers can make multiple stops during the booked period without additional per-stop charges. The maximum booking duration is two hours, and payment is made by card.
The model could be useful for people who need a driver to remain available while they attend meetings, visit shops or complete several tasks around town.
For drivers, hourly bookings offer more predictable earnings for the reserved period, including when traffic or waiting time slows progress.
However, customers need to plan their journeys around the booking limit: once the reserved period expires, the trip ends, and a new ride must be requested if further travel is needed.
Bolt Says New Options Will Expand Driver Opportunities
Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for Rides in East Africa, said the categories were intended to give customers greater control over their travel arrangements while creating more opportunities for drivers.
He said riders could choose a faster pick-up, a lower fare by accepting a longer wait, or the convenience of having a vehicle available for multiple stops.
The company also expects the options to help drivers access more trips and reduce idle time between bookings.
The introduction comes as ride-hailing platforms seek to accommodate customers with different budgets and travel requirements rather than relying on a single approach to pricing and matching.
What Customers Should Consider
The three categories serve different purposes, meaning the most suitable option will depend on the journey.
Priority is aimed at customers who value time, Wait and Save targets those willing to wait to reduce costs, while Ride by Hour is designed for trips that involve several stops or extended periods of activity.
Customers can check the available options and prices in the Bolt app before selecting a ride.
While the new categories expand the choices available to passengers, the practical benefit will depend on the fares displayed, driver availability and the time required to complete each journey.
