E-hailing company Bolt has introduced a feature that will enable customers to book rides 72 hours in advance. Called Scheduled Rides, Aside from providing riders with added convenience, this feature will give drivers ample time to prepare for such trips. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a new initiative in the ride-hailing segment given that Uber started doing the same in 2020.
Bolt added that business customers will also find this useful. For that category of users, they can utilize the Ride Booker option on their Bolt Business account to reserve rides for themselves and colleagues.
According to a statement shared with Technext, Scheduled Rides offers five key benefits. With advanced booking, riders can book rides up to 3 days beforehand to avoid last-minute hassles.
Additionally, Scheduled Rides ensures that passengers won’t bother about drivers’ availability during peak hours. To ensure that many drivers participate in this endeavour, customers will pay extra charges to enjoy this feature. That translates into more take-home pay for drivers and more hands on deck for this service.
Also worth mentioning is the fact that riders can select their desired category and include special instructions for drivers. This helps to customize each ride according to the passenger’s needs. Scheduled Rides prioritizes punctuality, so customers should expect drivers to arrive on time as expected.
Perhaps the most interesting benefit, this new service comes with is that there will be no surge pricing. This will allow riders to book trips without worrying about a potential change in the current charge.
Speaking about the new offering, the Country Manager for Bolt Nigeria, Yahaya Muhammed said:
As a business, we value our consumers’ feedback, and as such we are happy to introduce the Scheduled Rides feature, marking yet another milestone in our commitment to enhancing the overall passenger experience. This reflects our dedication to providing our users with maximum convenience and reliability.
Additionally, Linda Ndungu the Country Manager for Kenya believes that Scheduled Rides will improve the experience for passengers. There’s also an incentive for drivers as they’ll hardly worry about getting a ride during periods of increased demand.
“Planning for a future trip is now easier than it has ever been on Bolt. Passengers have more control over their business and personal travel, making mobility seamless and more enjoyable,” she further stated.
Read also: Passengers ask FAAN to replace Abuja Airport taxis with Bolt and Uber
How to use Scheduled Rides
As mentioned, the scheduling feature prioritizes riders’ convenience. Whether it’s a drive to the airport or an urgent engagement, this service should come in handy. The booking process is quite easy to navigate.
Bolt claims it takes less than a minute to complete and customers have two booking options. For one, riders should launch the Bolt app, tap the icon displaying a car and calendar, and add the desired pickup time and date. Next up is choosing the destination, selecting a ride category, and finalizing the request by tapping Reserve Bolt.
The other option is to open the Bolt app, fill out the Where To field with your preferred destination and tap the calendar icon at the bottom right of the screen. The final step is choosing the ride time and date. Bolt adds that riders will have a free waiting time of five minutes instead of the regular two.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
