Bolt has launched its premium ride service targeting the middle-class rider with an initial rollout in Nairobi County before it spreads out to other areas around the city in the coming months.

The ride hailing company says Bolt Premium will charge a slightly higher price for the ride and in exchange the customer will enjoy more comfort and space in newer vehicles.

The firm says its new premium service will offer the customer a 3–5-minute waiting time and allow the rider to work on the go with the wait time set to reduce as more cars are availed.

Bolt boasts that its premium service will charge 13 per cent cheaper fares than its competitors, will use only newer cars with an importation of 2017 upwards, and drivers with customer star ratings of 4.8 and above.

“Bolt Premium will charge the customer fares 13 per cent lower than what the competition charges for their Comfort categories, to offer more space and comfort” said Bolt Kenya and Tanzania General Manager Dimmy Kanyankole 

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Currently, the company says 1,000 vehicles have already been introduced for the category in the initial stage with more cars set to be added as the days go by.

Phase one of the rollout will see the service available in Nairobi CBD, Westlands, Kilimani and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with a full rollout in Kiambu County set for December 2025.

Bolt Premium service promised drivers 25 per cent higher earnings than in the standard category, and 40 per cent higher earnings than those of drivers in the Economy category.