Afrigather Bolt is taking a stringent strategy to security following years of a tainted fame in Kenya.
, an Estonian ride-hailing firm, has expelled over 5,000 drivers in Kenya attributable to non-compliance and safety-related points following a directive from the Nationwide Transport and Security Authority (NTSA). Bolt discontinued the accounts of the affected driver companions over the past six months, seemingly to stick to robust security rules by the NTSA. The e-cab firm, which has a presence in over 15 cities and cities in Kenya, provides that it’s going to make investments KES 20 million ($130,000) in safety-related practices.
Just a few weeks in the past, the NTSA requested the ride-hailing agency to explain how it will deal with driver and rider security issues which have been raised through the years, which have included situations of drivers bodily assaulting passengers and unauthorised promoting of Bolt driver accounts to 3rd events. The directive was a prerequisite for Bolt to obtain its annual license renewal. The corporate later said that it had developed a plan to make sure security on its platform and discontinued the controversial “reserving cost” it had launched earlier, which had triggered disagreements amongst drivers and clients. “We perceive the belief our customers place in us, and we’re taking proactive steps to make sure their well-being throughout each trip,” mentioned Linda Ndungu, Bolt Kenya nation supervisor.
To this finish, Bolt says it’s bettering security with inside measures, together with a randomised driver selfie test. It can additionally supply coaching for riders and drivers, and implement strict compliance whereas suspending violators. The corporate provides that it has enhanced reporting instruments to make it simpler to report security issues. “Bolt has additionally intensified its efforts to implement platform pointers. Any driver or rider present in violation of security requirements in addition to being non-compliant will face swift and decisive penalties, together with everlasting suspension from the platform,” Bolt clarified in an emailed assertion.
Bolt Kenya has been going through driver dissatisfaction attributable to its fee charges exceeding the federal government’s recommended 18%, together with reserving charges. Some driver companions have been linked to assault and incidents of sexual harassment which have tainted the platform’s fame.
