Bolt report reveals how students around the world are using ride-hail as income source whilst they study
The global ride-hailing industry is fast becoming a lifeline for students seeking flexible income opportunities.
Bolt’s recent report, ‘The Ride-Hail Economy’, highlights that 7% of drivers globally are students, with 79% of them citing flexible working hours as the main reason for entering the sector. For these young workers, ride-hailing offers a unique solution to the challenges of balancing education and employment.
Many students face unpredictable schedules, with classes, exams, and extracurricular commitments taking precedence. Traditional part-time jobs, often bound by rigid hours, fail to accommodate these needs. For those able to cover the costs of running a vehicle, ride-hailing fills this gap by allowing students to choose when and how much they work, providing the freedom to adapt their jobs to their academic priorities.
The report also notes that over 30% of all drivers are either studying or working in another job. This highlights the sector’s broader appeal to individuals juggling multiple responsibilities and using ride-hail as a ‘side hustle’ option while they study.
Despite its benefits, the student driver experience is not without challenges. High fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and platform commissions can eat into earnings, particularly for those working minimal hours. Some countries are better positioned than others to offer ridehail as a viable option to support student drivers.
