Bolt and Uber are ride-hailing apps that have brought disruptive innovation to the way we commute in Nigeria. Now, you don’t necessarily need to go out and queue or even compete for seats in public buses. Right from the comfort of your home and with a mobile device, you can book a ride and within minutes, you are conveyed to your destination in a cool and comfortable vehicle.
While there are various other ride-hailing apps, Bolt(formerly called Taxify) and Uber are widely used by Nigerians. So, the question users are asking is; between Bolt and Uber, which is better? Let’s compare!
More About Uber
Uber was founded in San Francisco in 2009, and currently, it has more than one billion users worldwide. Uber has also been present in Nigeria since 2014. The company is determined to reshape mobility by leveraging technology. Uber has the largest network of active riders.
Uber allows riders and drivers to use the Uber app to meet their commuting needs. The average Nigerian who meets the requirements can easily register on Uber to be a driver and start making cool cash.
Uber offers other services like carpooling and ride-sharing, meal delivery and freight transportation, electric bikes and scooter rental, and urban aviation.
More About Bolt
Bolt began out of a desire to make movement affordable, easier and more comfortable for everyone. The company operates on a similar principle to Uber, and they are the strongest competitor of Uber in Nigeria. The company began in Estonia and commenced operations in Nigeria in 2016. Presently, the Estonian-based company has over 70 nationalities, over 2,500 employees, and more than 1.5 million drivers, and operates in over 300 cities in 45 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
One does not necessarily have to be a car owner to be a driver with Bolt. Bolt offers opportunities that allow qualified Nigerians to be a riders and also has a partnership system where individuals can register their cars to be used by other registered drivers and get paid for it.
Now, let’s compare. Bolt vs Uber, which is better for riders and customers.
LOCATION
| UBER | BOLT |
| Currently in Nigeria, Uber operates in Lagos, Gulu, and Abuja. | Bolt operates in Bolt operates include Calabar, Owerri, Lagos, Umuahia, Kano, Warri, Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Akure, Kaduna, Jos, Makurdi, Asaba, Onitsha, Aba, Enugu, Ilorin, Abeokuta, Zaria, Ibadan, Portharcourt, Benin city, Uyo, and Abuja. |
CONCLUSION: Bolt operates in more cities within Nigeria than Uber. Hence, both riders and Ubers can access bolt services than Uber.
CANCELLATION FEE
| UBER | BOLT |
| Anytime you cancel a trip as a customer, Uber charges a cancellation fee which will be added to your next trip | The cancellation fee depends on different factors with Bolt. As a customer, you will only be charged a cancellation fee if you cancel a trip more than 2 minutes after the driver has accepted. Also, customers will be charged a fee if the driver has to wait for you 4-8 minutes after he has arrived at your destination. However, this varies based on prevailing market conditions. |
CONCLUSION: The cancellation fee is extra earnings to the driver and a loss to the customer. For Uber, the cancellation fee is definite while Bolt will only charge a cancellation fee on certain conditions.
Which Pays Drivers More
| UBER | BOLT |
| Uber charges between 20 – 30% per completed trip. | Bolt takes 15 – 20% per completed trip |
CONCLUSION: Drivers tend to earn more from the Bolt driving business than Uber. Drivers get 85-80% of the fare in Bolt while 80-70% is the earnings for Uber.
Requirements To Be A Driver
| UBER | BOLT |
| 1. Phone(Android/iOS) with a valid email address. 2. Valid Nigerian driver’s license. 3. LASRAA card. 4. Valid LASDRI card (Lagos only). 5. Minimums of 21 years of age. 6. Driver profile photo. 7. Safety screening and virtual info session. | 1. Hold a valid driver’s license. 2. Attend driver training for service quality and use of the Bolt driver application. 3. Additional Documents for Lagos: LASDRI Card, Driver Badge, and LASRRA Card. |
CONCLUSION: From the above, it appears it requires more time and process to be a registered driver with Uber.
Basic Vehicle Requirements
| UBER | BOLT |
| The model year 2000 or newer 4-door car Good condition with no cosmetic damage A working radio Vehicle inspection report Vehicle insurance Roadworthiness certificate A valid Hackney permit | Vehicle license Insurance Certificate Proof of Ownership Certificate of Road-Worthiness Minimum of 4 door Excellent working condition AutoGenius Vehicle Inspection Report Additional Documents for Lagos: Stat |
CONCLUSION: From the above, the requirements in both Uber and Bolt are closely similar.
Perks For Drivers
| UBER | BOLT |
| Surge pricing during high demands. Consecutive trips promotions Quest promotions Vehicle maintenance discounts | The ability to earn extra from bonuses Access to monthly HMO care Driver shield: A ride-sharing insurance product that covers the driver and rider while on Bolt Rides Bolt fuel rewards(this is in partnership with Total NG) |
CONCLUSION; Whether with Bolt or Uber, drivers enjoy attractive perks for their job.
Which Is Cheaper
| UBER | BOLT |
| From feedback gathered from customers, Uber charges more per trip. | Bolt is concerned about making commuting cheap and affordable; hence, their fare is generally lesser than Uber’s. Also, Bolt offers promotional codes to users to enjoy unbelievable trip discounts. |
CONCLUSION: Both drivers and riders can benefit from the relatively cheaper transport rate of Bolt compared to Uber.
Lost Items
| UBER | BOLT |
| In case you lost an item, Uber may charge you a fee payable to the driver. The fee charged varies depending on time and location. | In case of a lost item, Bolt allows discretion on the part of the customer to determine compensation for the driver. |
CONCLUSION: Uber charges customers when lost items are returned. Bolt allows payment to be discretional.
SAFETY
| UBER | BOLT |
| Safety features are inbuilt into the mobile app. Customers can leave notifications for loved ones so as to locate them if anything happens. All Uber rides are tracked by GPS from start to finish. Uber has a RideCheck feature that involves using sensors and GPS data to help detect if a trip has an unexpected long stop. Also, customers can also verify their ride with a PIN to help make sure they’re getting into the right car with the right driver. Other safety measures Uber offers include Driver hour limits, speed limit alerts, vehicle inspection, and thorough driver screening. | In partnership with YouVerify, Bolt verifies all its drivers in a process that involves cross-matching all information and documents provided by drivers against various government databases. As a rider, any time you book a ride with Bolt, you get details including the driver’s photo, name, car make/model, and license plate number. Also, there is ride insurance Bolt provides that insures riders and their possessions throughout the course of their trip. |
CONCLUSION
Both Bolt and Uber have advanced safety features for riders and drivers.
BOLT VS UBER; WHICH IS BETTER?
Bolt and Uber are both popular ride-hailing companies operating in many cities worldwide, including Nigeria. Both companies offer similar services and use similar business models, but some differences may make one of them a better option for you, depending on your specific needs and preferences.
One key difference between Bolt and Uber is the type of vehicles they offer. Bolt primarily offers rides in private cars, while Uber offers a wider range of vehicle options, including private cars, shared rides, luxury vehicles, and even electric bikes and scooters in some markets.
Another difference is the pricing structure. Bolt and Uber both use dynamic pricing, which means that prices may vary based on demand and other factors. However, Bolt’s pricing may be more transparent and predictable, as it uses a fixed rate system where you can see the exact price of your ride before you confirm the booking. Uber’s pricing is more variable and may be less transparent, as it uses a more complex algorithm to calculate prices.
In terms of safety, both Bolt and Uber have implemented various measures to ensure the safety of their riders and drivers. This includes driver background checks, in-app safety features such as the ability to share your trip details with friends and family, and a system for handling customer complaints and incidents.
Ultimately, which company is “better” depends on your needs and priorities. Both Bolt and Uber have their own strengths and weaknesses, and you may find one of them to be a better fit for your specific needs. It may be worth trying out both companies and seeing which one you prefer.
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