ROTTERDAM, 18 June 2025 – Travellers flying into Rotterdam The Hague Airport can now link their flights to the Bolt app, as the ride-hailing platform introduces automated flight tracking for scheduled pickups. The feature adjusts pickup times or cancels rides based on real-time flight changes.

Bolt adds flight tracking for pickups at Rotterdam The Hague Airport

A flight tracking function has been introduced by mobility platform Bolt to assist passengers arriving at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. The new option allows users to synchronise flight data with pre-scheduled rides, automatically adjusting pickup times if delays or cancellations occur.

From 18 June 2025, passengers booking a ride via the Bolt app can input their flight details directly, including airline, flight number, arrival date and city of departure. The feature includes the option to choose a preferred pickup buffer, allowing a certain number of minutes after landing before the driver arrives. If the flight is delayed or cancelled, Bolt will automatically adjust or cancel the ride without additional charges.

Local airport focus

According to Noud Ottens, General Manager of Bolt Nederland, the new feature was added in response to the frequent use of Rotterdam The Hague Airport by Bolt customers in the region. “With flight tracking for scheduled rides, airport pickups become easier. Travellers no longer have to worry about delays or cancellations—the ride adjusts automatically,” he stated.

The enhancement is aimed at improving reliability and comfort for travellers during busy holiday and business periods. It has also been integrated into Bolt Business, the company's mobility service for enterprises, offering efficiency gains and cost control for business travel disrupted by flight changes.

Updates to scheduled ride functionality

The update follows a broader rollout of improvements to Bolt’s scheduled rides feature in the Netherlands. The advance booking window has been extended to 90 days, and additional tools have been added to simplify airport pickups. These include step-by-step in-app guidance with photos, helping passengers locate the correct pickup areas at airports such as Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

The company has noted that, as travel habits evolve, new features like these are part of ongoing efforts to improve the mobility experience for both private and business users.

About Bolt

Bolt is a European mobility platform that operates in over 50 countries across Europe and Africa. Its app-based services include ride-hailing, electric bike and scooter sharing, food and grocery delivery, car-sharing, and business transport solutions. In the Netherlands, Bolt currently offers ride-hailing and Bolt Business services.

ROTTERDAM, 13 February 2025 – Bolt has introduced two new safety features in the Netherlands, offering passengers and drivers additional tools to verify rides and receive support when needed. The Trusted Contacts and Pick-up Codes aim to improve safety and reliability in ride-hailing services.

Bolt enhances safety with new ride verification features

Bolt, the mobility platform, has introduced two new safety features in the Netherlands: Trusted Contacts ("Vertrouwde Contacten") and Pick-up Codes. These features provide both passengers and drivers with additional options to ensure safety before and during rides.

Trusted Contacts

With the Trusted Contacts feature, passengers and drivers can add friends or family members to their Bolt account. In the event of a safety alert—such as a Ride Check notification, an Emergency Assist request, or another significant incident—Bolt’s Safety Team will not only contact the account holder but also notify the selected trusted contact if the primary user is unreachable.

“Trusted Contacts builds on the efforts of our Safety Team by ensuring that a Ride Check or Emergency Assist request reaches a trusted friend or family member when we cannot reach the account owner,” said Noud Ottens, General Manager at Bolt Netherlands.

To activate the feature, users need to download the latest version of the Bolt app, navigate to account settings, select Trip Safety, and add their Trusted Contacts. They can enter names, phone numbers, preferred language, and the relationship to the contact.

Pick-up Codes

Bolt is also introducing unique four-digit Pick-up Codes to confirm that passengers and drivers have matched correctly before a ride starts. Once enabled in the passenger app under Safety Settings, a randomly generated code appears when booking a ride. The driver must enter this code in their app upon arrival. The ride can only begin if the code matches.

“With Pick-up Codes, we provide passengers and drivers with a quick and simple way to confirm they are connecting with the correct person—particularly useful in busy locations, at night, or if a passenger mistakenly gets into the wrong vehicle,” Ottens added.

This feature complements existing verification options in the Bolt app, such as checking the vehicle’s make, model, and licence plate, as well as the driver’s photo. The introduction of Pick-up Codes is aimed at reducing mismatches between passengers and drivers, a common issue in ride-hailing services.

Part of a broader safety investment

The new features are part of Bolt’s wider safety strategy, which includes a €100 million investment over three years to enhance its internal Safety Team’s efforts. Bolt has already introduced several safety measures for passengers, including Ride Check (to detect unusual activity during a trip), Share Location (to share real-time trip details with friends and family), Emergency Assist (for quick contact with emergency services or security partners), and Audio Trip Recording (which allows users to record audio within the Bolt app if they feel unsafe).

With these latest updates, Bolt continues to refine its safety protocols by integrating new technology with established verification methods. The company aims to ensure that passengers and drivers across the Netherlands can rely on a secure and user-friendly experience.

ROTTERDAM, 20 March 2025 – Uber's latest passenger rating data reveals that Rotterdam passengers receive some of the lowest ratings in the Netherlands, while smaller cities in the north and south fare better.

Uber reveals passenger ratings by city in the Netherlands

Uber has released insights into passenger ratings provided by its drivers across various Dutch cities. While most people are aware that they can rate their Uber driver, fewer may realise that drivers can also rate their passengers. The data sheds light on how different cities compare in terms of passenger behaviour and tipping habits.

Smaller cities lead, Rotterdam and Breda fall behind

According to the data, passengers in Venlo (4.96) and Leeuwarden (4.97) received the highest ratings from Uber drivers. These smaller cities in the north and south topped the list, while passengers in larger cities such as Amsterdam (4.89), The Hague (4.88), and Utrecht (4.90) landed in the middle. Rotterdam (4.77) and Breda (4.77) recorded the lowest average ratings from drivers.

International comparison: Amsterdam performs well but trails Helsinki

In an international context, Amsterdam scored relatively high with a 4.89 average, but this was slightly behind Helsinki, where passengers averaged 4.92. By comparison, passengers in Stockholm (4.83) and Brussels (4.86) received lower ratings.

Generosity in tipping: Deventer and Amersfoort stand out

When it comes to tipping, passengers from Deventer (€3.66) and Amersfoort (€3.38) proved to be the most generous. In contrast, cities in the Randstad region like Amsterdam (€2.77), The Hague (€2.62), and Rotterdam (€2.62) showed a more modest approach to tipping. Groningen passengers (€2.54) received the lowest average rating for tipping, possibly reflecting the region’s famously reserved mentality.

Dutch tipping habits surprise

Despite the common stereotype of Dutch thriftiness, the data indicates that Dutch passengers are among the most generous tippers in northwest Europe. With an average tip of €2.83 per ride, the Netherlands outperforms Finland (€2.41), Belgium (€2.43), and Sweden (€2.09).

ROTTERDAM, 30 September 2024 – Bolt has introduced its all-electric ride category in Rotterdam, offering residents and visitors a new way to book zero-emission journeys. The move is part of Bolt’s broader push towards sustainable mobility in the Netherlands.

Bolt introduces electric ride options in Rotterdam

Bolt, the European mobility platform, has launched its fully electric ride category in Rotterdam, allowing passengers to book rides in electric vehicles. This initiative forms part of Bolt’s larger strategy to support sustainable transport solutions in urban areas across the Netherlands. The launch follows the deployment of electric Tesla cars in Amsterdam and marks another step towards Bolt’s commitment to environmentally responsible urban transport.

Noud Ottens, General Manager of Bolt Netherlands, commented: “We are excited to bring Bolt Electric to Rotterdam. Access to sustainable transportation should be available to everyone, and this expansion represents an important step in that direction.” He also noted that an increasing number of drivers in Rotterdam have already invested in electric vehicles, and Bolt plans to support this shift with incentives such as discounts on fast charging and charging equipment.

Affordable electric rides for Rotterdam residents

The new Electric category offers the same pricing as Bolt’s standard ride options, ensuring passengers can choose a greener option without worrying about higher costs. This move aligns with Bolt’s aim to make sustainable transport widely accessible.

To encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles, Bolt offers benefits such as reduced leasing rates for electric cars and discounts on fast charging through partnerships with companies like Shell. According to Ottens, “We believe electric driving is the future, and we want to make it available for everyone. To support drivers, we offer exclusive discounts on electric cars through our partner network.”

Supporting sustainable mobility in Rotterdam

The launch of the Electric category in Rotterdam highlights Bolt’s dedication to promoting sustainable urban mobility. By offering shared transport options, Bolt seeks to reduce reliance on private cars and help cities transition towards greener transportation systems.

Bolt’s Electric category is now available in Rotterdam, as well as in other Dutch cities such as The Hague, Eindhoven, and Amsterdam. The company plans to expand this service to additional cities across the Netherlands in the near future.