Bolts toughens up on profile sharing, says drivers will be suspended
Bolt cracks down on driver profile sharing by introducing multiple weekly verification checks
Image: File
E-hailing platform Bolt has warned that it is tightening enforcement against driver profile sharing in South Africa, with offenders facing immediate suspension and possible permanent removal from the platform.
IOL previously reported that South Africans have expressed outrage over driver profile sharing in the e-hailing sector, with social media users and industry voices raising concerns that the practice is widespread and undermines passenger safety.
In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, the company’s Senior Operations Manager, Simo Kalajdzic, said the platform is increasing identity checks and strengthening its monitoring systems to stop people from using accounts that are not their own.
“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,” Simo Kalajdzic said.
The company added that it is now carrying out more frequent identity verification checks, in some cases multiple times a week, adding that it will also "permanently remove accounts linked to such misconduct".
"Dashcams continue to play a key role in improving accountability. Across branded fleet-operated vehicles, dashcams form part of Bolt’s operational agreements with fleet owners".
"Bolt continues to advocate for wider adoption of this technology as both a deterrent and an investigative tool. The platform also maintains a range of in-app safety features, including visible driver photos, vehicle details, and an emergency button that provides immediate support to riders and drivers during trips".
The company also urged riders "to verify that the driver’s photo, name and vehicle registration match the details displayed in the app before entering a vehicle. If there are any discrepancies, riders should cancel the trip and report it via the app by selecting the “driver was not the same” option on the cancellation screen, or alternatively, contact support directly through the app.
“We understand that trust must be earned every day. Removing bad actors and strengthening our systems is an ongoing priority. Safety is not a campaign, it is how we operate,” Kalajdzic added.
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