How Bolt Flex’s driver-set pricing compares with Uber and traditional metered taxi fares
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Bolt’s introduction of Bolt Flex across multiple UK cities is widening the divide between emerging platform-based pricing and the regulated meter system used by hackney carriages.
The move also places Bolt in a distinct and unique position from Uber, whose fare-setting model continues to rely on algorithmic calculations rather than driver-controlled pricing.
Bolt Flex allows private hire drivers to set their own trip prices or respond to passenger offers, a shift that effectively treats each booking as a negotiated job within the parameters set by local licensing rules. The model operates with a flat commission, which Bolt says provides greater clarity over deductions and helps drivers plan earnings more predictably. This contrasts with conventional platform pricing, where dynamic rate adjustments are triggered by demand, traffic conditions and driver supply.
Uber continues to operate on an algorithm-led structure in which each fare is produced centrally rather than by drivers. Prices fluctuate at short notice when demand spikes, but drivers have no role in setting the trip total. While Uber riders receive fare estimates before booking, the underlying calculation is fixed by the platform and cannot be altered by individual drivers, reflecting a centrally managed approach rather than a marketplace model.
New fare model reshapes the gap between platform pricing and long-established metered structures used by licensed hackney carriages
Traditional hackney carriage fares follow a separate regulatory path. Local authorities set tariff structures that apply to all licensed hackney carriages operating in their region. The meter calculates the fare based on distance and time at rates approved by councillors, and drivers cannot legally charge more than the metered total for street hails or rank work. Any changes to tariffs typically require public consultation, committee approval and formal notice periods. This creates a stable pricing environment but limits day-to-day flexibility.
The distinction is most pronounced in how each system responds to market conditions. Hackney carriage tariffs move only when councils review and approve new rates, which is usually once every one or two years. Uber’s dynamic pricing responds instantly but is solely determined by the platform. Bolt Flex, by contrast, allows the driver to reflect local factors in real time without relying on algorithmic adjustments or waiting for formal tariff reviews. Early pilot data from Bolt’s trial cities indicates some drivers have secured higher trip earnings, although the long-term effect on passenger costs and availability is yet to be tested across wider regions.
Regulatory oversight also differs sharply. Hackney carriage pricing is fully regulated and enforced through the licensing authority. Private hire platforms such as Uber are subject to licensing conditions but retain autonomy over fare-setting structures unless specific local rules restrict them. Bolt Flex now introduces a third model that is driver-controlled within the private hire licensing framework.
Across the industry, the emergence of a hybrid model combining platform facilitation with driver-led pricing could prompt fresh scrutiny of how fare transparency, competition and booking rules should evolve. It also raises questions for operators over whether to maintain algorithmic pricing or explore more decentralised models that give drivers greater control.
For passengers, the differences between the three systems are becoming more pronounced which is a good thing. Hackney carriage meters provide consistency. Uber’s algorithm provides instant variability based on demand. Bolt Flex introduces a marketplace model where fares can be set manually.
Bolt’s trial continues across several UK cities, with further analysis expected as more drivers switch between Bolt Flex and fixed-pricing structures.
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