Passengers now able to schedule UK rides in advance on Bolt ride-hailing app
Updated: Dec 2, 2023
Passengers across the UK can now benefit from the new scheduling feature on the ride-hailing app, Bolt.
The Estonian company has introduced the feature just in time for the busy festive period, during which it anticipates a 20% increase in business and service popularity.
With the days becoming colder, darker, and wetter, Bolt say they have experienced a surge in popularity for its ride-hailing service in recent months. Now, with the launch of the ride scheduling feature, passengers can book a driver to pick them up at the designated time.
Upon accepting an order, drivers lock in the price that the passenger will pay, providing transparency. Additionally, drivers wait for five minutes free of charge after arriving at the pick-up location.
Passengers will pay a small surcharge to account for waiting time upon arrival. This feature also allows passengers and drivers to plan their day around their scheduled rides.
Throughout the year, Bolt's ride-hailing service has become popular at public transport hubs such as train stations and airports. With the demand for train rides and flights significantly increasing during the Christmas season, Bolt's new scheduling feature aims to target those passengers. In December 2022 alone, the Civil Aviation Authority reported a staggering 17.8 million passengers traveling to and from airports across the country.
To schedule a ride, passengers must tap the calendar icon on the Bolt app and input the date, time, pick-up, and drop-off points, along with the desired category of service. On the Bolt Driver app, drivers can view all their scheduled ride requests. Passengers have the flexibility to cancel a ride at no additional charge up to one hour before the pick-up time, but cancellations after this point will incur a cancellation fee.
The feature has launched in the following 17 regions: Birmingham (including Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton); Bristol; Bath; Cambridge; Cardiff; Derby; Edinburgh; Greater Manchester; Leicester; Milton Keynes; Newcastle; Newport; Nottingham; Peterborough and Huntingdonshire; Portsmouth and the surrounding area (including Havant); Sheffield; and Southampton.
Markian Iwaniw, Head of Operations for Bolt across the UK, said: “It’s safe to say passengers and drivers are already making good use of our ride-hailing with it getting colder, darker and wetter. This will only increase the further into the busy festive season we get. I’m delighted to give our customers the ability to plan ahead so they can spend more time in the moment and less time stressing about their journey.”
Kostas Sausdravas, Assistant General Manager at Meraki Greek Restaurant & Bar Fitzrovia, said: "Working with Bolt has been a true lifesaver for my team. When we know there aren't going to be trains available late at night, Bolt ensures our staff gets home safely and conveniently. Thank you, Bolt, for your reliable service!".
