The ride-hailing startup, Bolt (formerly called Taxify) has extended its routes to Port Harcourt, Rivers state. This extension makes it a total of eight cities Bolt is covering as the service is already established in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Owerri, Benin City, Uyo, and Calabar.
Bolt’s Regional Manager for West Africa, Uche Okafor, while giving reasons for the expansion stated that the added route would enable Bolt users in Port Harcourt to have access to the service and provide employment opportunities for drivers and vehicle owners in the city.
The company has called on drivers in Port Harcourt who are interested in joining the platform to come on board with a valid Nigerian driver’s license and an Android or iOS smartphone with GPS. Interested drivers will undergo an onboarding/training programme after providing the items stated.
The car must, however, be a four-door wheel like Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and so on.
[READ MORE: Uber extends routes to Benin City to compete with Taxify]
The expansion came after Bolt launched its corporate trip platform, Bolt for Business. It is an on-demand transportation service that allows companies of all sizes to manage and pay for corporate trips via a single, easy-to-use portal.
What you should know: The Estonian company, which is Uber’s biggest rival, is pursuing an expansion strategy that is focused on not only operating in major cities but in smaller cities as well. Having extended routes to over eight cities, Bolt doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
While Uber is concentrating on major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Benin, Bolt is taking over and fighting head-on for Nigeria’s market share.
(READ ALSO: Is this the new way Bolt (Taxify) drivers rip-off their customers?)
About the company: Initially known as Taxify, Bolt was founded in 2013 by Markus Villig in Estonia. The company has operations in 25 countries and 18 regions, including Nigeria. In March 2019, the company changed its name from Taxify to Bolt.
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