BOLT EXPANDS RIDER VERIFICATION IN NIGERIA
Bolt is expanding its rider verification feature to more customers in Nigeria, including an option for all customers to verify their identities. This development is part of Bolt’s ongoing commitment to enhancing safety features on its platform, aimed at building greater trust between drivers and riders, ultimately leading to a faster and more efficient ride-hailing experience.
New Verification Process
As part of this new in-app feature, customers will have the option to take a selfie before placing a ride-hailing order. The selfie must be an authentic image of a physically present person with their face clearly visible. Additionally, riders will need to upload an identification document, which Bolt will verify against the selfie. This validation process typically takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and requires the latest version of the app.
Enhanced Safety Features
Rider verification is being added to Bolt’s existing suite of trip verification features, which includes:
- Driver Verification: Ensures the authenticity of drivers.
- Trip Count and Details: Provides a comprehensive overview of trip information.
- Rider Profile Photo: Displays the rider’s photo for driver reference.
- Driver Scores and Rider Ratings: Facilitates mutual rating to maintain service quality.
These features are part of Bolt’s extensive safety toolkit, which also includes:
- In-App Safety Toolkit: Allows drivers to share ride details with friends or loved ones, access the Emergency Assist button, and trigger an audio recording during uncomfortable situations.
- Trip Safety Monitoring: Automatically engages with riders and drivers if a vehicle remains stationary for too long, ensuring everything is okay.
- Driver Alerts: Flags areas with high volumes of safety reports to Bolt’s Customer Support team.
Management’s Commentary
Yahaya Mohammed, the country manager at Bolt Nigeria, emphasized the importance of the new verification feature:
“Being able to verify that riders are who they say they are is the number one feature requested by driver partners in Nigeria. The launch of rider verification as another trip verification feature acknowledges the importance of mutual trust between driver partners and riders. With increased investment in verification features like this, which consider the trip as a whole, we aim to continue building driver and rider trust, which is critical to the safety of the platform.”
Through these enhancements, Bolt aims to create a safer and more reliable environment for both riders and drivers, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to security and efficiency.
