ROTTERDAM, 21 August 2025 – A new ride category aimed at travellers needing additional support has been introduced by Bolt in Rotterdam. The service links passengers to certified drivers trained to offer assistance.

Bolt introduces Assist ride service in Rotterdam

Bolt has launched a new ride-hailing category in Rotterdam called Bolt Assist, intended to make urban mobility more accessible for residents and visitors who require additional support when travelling. The service became available earlier this week through the Bolt app.

With Bolt Assist, passengers are connected to drivers certified under the Dutch TX-Keur system, which ensures professionalism and reliability in taxi services. These drivers receive specific training to provide safe, respectful help when boarding and exiting vehicles.

Travel support for people with diverse mobility needs

The Bolt Assist service aims to fill a gap between standard ride options and fully adapted vehicles. The cars used in this category can accommodate foldable wheelchairs, walkers, and collapsible scooters. However, they are not equipped with lifts or ramps.

This option may be suitable for a range of passengers, including older adults, pregnant women, and those with temporary or permanent mobility challenges. Unlike specialised PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) vehicles, Bolt Assist does not offer structural vehicle modifications but focuses on enhanced driver support.

The service complements Bolt's existing mobility offerings and aligns with the recent introduction of the Family Profile feature. This function allows relatives to arrange rides on behalf of family members who might need assistance.

Each Assist ride includes five minutes of complimentary waiting time, rather than the two minutes offered in other Bolt categories. This added time is intended to improve comfort and safety during boarding.

Certification and safety standards

All Bolt Assist journeys in Rotterdam are carried out by drivers holding a TX-Keur certificate. This Dutch quality mark signifies compliance with recognised standards for safe and reliable taxi operations. It also ensures that participating drivers are committed to delivering patient and considerate service.

“Although the Netherlands boasts strong cycling and public transport networks, these are not always ideal for older residents or those with limited mobility,” stated Noud Ottens, General Manager of Bolt Netherlands. “Bolt Assist is designed to ensure ride-hailing can be part of the solution by offering targeted support.”

Gradual expansion and ongoing development

Bolt's expansion of services in Rotterdam is part of a broader initiative to improve accessibility across the Netherlands. According to the company, user feedback and driver input will be used to refine and potentially broaden the service over time. Bolt Assist rides can be booked via the Bolt app, which is available on both iOS and Android platforms. The service operates throughout the city of Rotterdam.

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, 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.