Bolt takes a stand: stronger safety measures to protect riders

Bolt South Africa is ramping up its efforts to keep riders safe, introducing a wave of stricter safety measures to combat driver profile sharinga practice where someone other than the registered driver operates a Bolt account.

Zero tolerance for profile sharing

“Profile sharing is a serious breach of our standards and a direct violation of the trust placed in us by riders and drivers. We are acting firmly and without hesitation. Any driver found sharing an account will be permanently suspended,” said Simo Kalajdzic, Bolt South Africa’s senior operations manager.

In practice, this means drivers caught allowing others to use their accounts will not just be temporarily removedthey will lose access to the platform entirely. Bolt has also increased its driver identity verification checks, now running multiple times a week to ensure that only approved, verified drivers are active on the platform.

Monitoring, audits, and dashcams

Bolt has upgraded its monitoring systems to detect unusual account behaviour and accelerate investigations. Audits have been intensified, particularly for fleet partnerships, while dashcams remain central to the company’s safety strategy. Dashcams in fleet-operated vehicles help improve accountability and serve as crucial tools for investigating incidents.

Kalajdzic emphasised that these are not just one-off initiatives: “Removing bad actors and strengthening our systems is an ongoing priority. Safety is not a campaign; it is how we operate.”

Riders urged to stay vigilant

Bolt continues to equip riders with in-app safety tools, including driver photos, vehicle details, and an emergency button for immediate support. Riders are advised to verify that the driver’s name, photo, and vehicle registration match what appears in the app. Any discrepancies should be reported immediatelyeither by canceling the trip and selecting the “driver was not the same” option or contacting support directly.

The company says more safety enhancements are expected in the coming months as it invests further in platform integrity and trust. Social media users and ride-hailing communities have applauded Bolt’s firm stance, with many praising the company for prioritising rider protection over convenience.

As ride-hailing becomes an increasingly vital part of South African urban life, Bolt’s crackdown on driver profile sharing is sending a clear message: safety and trust are non-negotiable.

{Source: IOL}

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