Europe’s Bolt Launches Ride-Hailing Service in Nepal

European mobility startup Bolt has launched its ride-hailing service in Nepal. On March 15, 2023, the mobility super-app announced the pilot of its service in Kathmandu, Nepal with over 400 drivers.

With the launch, Bolt becomes the latest ride-hailing platform to enter Nepal, joining the likes of InDrive and Pathao.

The company, which already operates in Thailand, has a free mobile application that connects drivers and customers, allowing customers to conveniently request a driver and be taken to their desired destination.

Drivers will earn a commission for providing the ride service through the application. To become a Bolt driver, a person must have a car or motorbike and all necessary licenses required by local regulations.

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Bolt’s entry into the Nepali market comes with a promise to offer the lowest commissions for drivers and the lowest ride prices for customers. For the next six months, Bolt has committed to charging drivers no commission for using the platform and offering service fees that are 15% lower than its competitors on the market.

“Our goal is not only to offer our drivers higher revenues per hire but also to ensure a high demand due to competitive prices. Accordingly, our commission is significantly lower than that of our competitors. As a result, our drivers earn more and the service fees are attractive.

We have been committed to profitability and fairness towards our drivers from the very beginning because we firmly believe that happy drivers lead to happy customers,”

said Ireoluwa Obatoki, regional manager, Bolt.

The company is committed to offering all customers a safe mobility experience and has introduced various safety measures and in-app features designed to protect riders and drivers, including an SOS button that allows riders and drivers to contact the police by tapping a button, share my ride feature, and in-app calls.

Customers can download the Bolt app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store and set up a user profile to request a ride. Once a driver accepts the ride, customers can see the driver’s details and can track them in real-time. Payment is made in cash once the ride is complete.

Since its founding in 2013 by Markus Vollig, Bolt has rapidly expanded its operations, now boasting over 100 million customers across 45 countries and 500 cities in Europe and Africa.

In addition to its ride-hailing service, Bolt offers a range of other mobility solutions in Europe, including e-bike and scooter rental, food delivery, grocery delivery, and short-term car rental. Bolt may consider launching these services in the country in the near future.