Bolt — an Estonian ride-hailing company with presence across Africa, Europe, and the US has further deepened its services across Nigerian cities by operating in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Launched in 2016 as Taxify in Nigeria, Bolt has penetrated so many Nigerian cities by providing commuters with efficient and affordable transport services. The ride-hailing company first launched in Lagos Nigeria in 2016. It competed against Uber in the city before expanding to Abuja the following year as a major competition for the American company.
In 2018, Bolt took it up a notch an expanded to Ibadan and Owerri respectively. This move has placed the company in more Nigerian cities than its major competitor, Uber. Although the company currently competes with Opay’s on-demand motorcycle service ORide in Ibadan, and Uru an on-demand car service in Owerri, Bolt has held its own, considering that riders turn to it for group trips, comfort, and quality.
See also: Bolt Deepens Services, unveils Bolt Food
The penetration into Port Harcourt has raises the number of Nigerian cities where Bolt is present to eight. The company is now present in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Owerri, Benin City, Calabar, Uyo and Port Harcourt. Bolt operates across the East, West, North and South axis of Nigeria, which is a huge edge against Uber which is only present in three cities across the Northern, Southern and Western axis of Nigeria.
According to Bolt, new drivers on the platform will receive 85% of the fares that passengers pay while passengers enjoy discounts up to 20% on all rides. This offer is available only for the period of launch in Port Harcourt.
Bolt passengers will enjoy a free first ride of up to N2000 with the promo code BOLTPH. They also noted that popular trips to places like from Pleasure Park to the Mall will cost between NGN1,000 – NGN1150 while Peter Odili road, Transamadi to New GRA will cost between NGN1,200 – NGN1,300.
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