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, 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.

ROTTERDAM, 7 May 2024 – Bolt has expanded its scheduled ride booking window in Rotterdam from 72 hours to 90 days, improving flexibility for residents, commuters, and visitors. This extended booking period addresses growing customer demand and enhances travel planning within the city and abroad.

Bolt extends scheduled ride bookings to 90 days

Bolt, a mobility platform, has expanded its window for scheduled ride bookings in Rotterdam, now allowing customers to plan their trips up to 90 days in advance. This change is in response to the increasing demand for pre-booked rides, which has grown by 30% each month.

Previously limited to a 72-hour booking window, this extension will enhance the travel planning experience for commuters travelling to meetings, those attending special events, and passengers heading to flights departing from Rotterdam The Hague Airport. It will also assist travellers leaving from Rotterdam Centraal Station. These expanded bookings aim to accommodate both individual and business customers, facilitating timely travel arrangements for meetings and better coordination for corporate guests attending events.

Noud Ottens, Country Manager at Bolt Netherlands, mentioned that extending the advance booking window reflects customer feedback. The company hopes to encourage the shift from private car ownership to shared mobility options.

ROTTERDAM, 21 March 2024 – On the occasion of its third anniversary in Rotterdam, Bolt has reported a substantial increase in user engagement. This growth indicates a shift towards shared mobility solutions in the city.

A tripling of growth showcases a shift in urban travel.

Upon the third anniversary of its operations in Rotterdam, Bolt has reported a three-fold increase in usage since its inception in March 2021. This growth reflects a rising trend towards shared mobility in the city, resonating with Rotterdam's ambition to reduce reliance on private vehicles in favour of public transport, cycling, and shared mobility solutions.

This surge is not just a quantitative metric but signifies the citizens' embrace of environmentally friendly travel options. Monthly users in the tens of thousands signify that Bolt has grown beyond a service—it has become a staple in the city's mobility.

Bolt as a sustainable mobility integrator

Bolt has become synonymous with convenient and sustainable travel in Rotterdam, offering a wide array of services that cater to a diverse user base. This integration into the city’s transport ecosystem is evident as residents and visitors increasingly rely on Bolt for their daily commuting needs, thereby supporting the city's environmental and traffic decongestion goals.

Safety innovations for a secure commute

Innovation in safety has been a cornerstone of Bolt's strategy. The introduction of an in-app safety toolkit, which includes an SOS button to alert local emergency services, audio recording of rides, and monitoring for deviations from the planned route, has enhanced the safety for passengers and drivers alike.

These tools are not merely reactive, but proactive measures in fostering a safer travel environment. The real-time monitoring system is particularly groundbreaking, automatically detecting anomalies in the trip and ensuring immediate assistance is available if necessary.

Challenges ahead: Taxi shortages and the quest for convenience

Despite these positive strides, challenges remain, such as the shortage of taxi drivers in Rotterdam, which continues to affect the ease with which residents can book rides. This shortage highlights the delicate balance between supply and demand in urban mobility and the need for sustainable solutions to meet the city's growing transportation needs.