Bolt Introduces new safety technologies as ride-hailing grows in South Africa

As ride-hailing adoption accelerates across major South African cities, Bolt is rolling out new safety tools and exploring emerging technologies to improve protection for riders and drivers. A new Ipsos study highlights how safety concerns are shaping mobility choices.

Bolt is expanding its safety measures in South Africa as digital mobility becomes an increasingly common transport option across the country. A new study conducted by Ipsos, commissioned by the company, shows that safety remains one of the main factors influencing how South Africans use ride-hailing platforms.

According to the report, which surveyed active users in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, most respondents view ride-hailing as a safer choice at night compared with other transport options. Nearly three-quarters of participants also said they prefer the service for its convenience, while many see it as a practical alternative to drinking and driving.

Women represent the majority of Bolt’s customer base in South Africa, and overall the platform facilitates around 1.4 million rides each month. The findings indicate that safety has become a defining element of mobility behaviour, especially among younger adults aged 25 to 34, who make up a significant portion of the surveyed users.

To respond to these expectations, Bolt is testing and deploying new technologies designed to enhance protection for both riders and drivers. The company is piloting an in-app video safety solution and evaluating the integration of CCTV systems in partnership with providers such as Cartrack. Discussions are ongoing about the cost model and how such technologies could be made accessible across the fleet of roughly 40,000 drivers.

Regulatory changes are also influencing the roadmap. New e-hailing requirements from the transport department call for a unified panic-button mechanism. Bolt plans to work with a single private security partner to consolidate emergency response features inside the app.

In recent months, the company added a pickup-code verification step, ensuring that passengers enter the correct vehicle before a trip begins, a measure now also adopted by other platforms. Bolt’s existing safety toolkit includes live location sharing, clear driver and vehicle information, an SOS function connected to private emergency teams, and an audio recording feature that can be activated by either party during a trip.

Behind the scenes, Bolt has deployed algorithms that monitor unusual route patterns or abrupt stops. When flagged, the system automatically checks in with the rider, triggering additional safety protocols if the user indicates they need assistance.

As ride-hailing continues to reshape urban mobility in South Africa, these technologies represent an ongoing effort to address safety concerns and reinforce trust in digital transport solutions.