VTC drivers face a growing threat of violence, including attempted kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence, assaults, and even murders. This escalating situation has forced mobility startup leaders to take decisive action in an attempt to curb these increasingly recurrent acts.

Estonian mobility startup Bolt has introduced a new feature in South Africa designed to enhance driver safety and trust on its platform. Effective immediately, Bolt customers will be required to upload a clear image of themselves or a selfie clearly showing their face, along with a copy of their ID for verification.

"At Bolt, we know from our 150M+ customers and network of 3.5 million fleet, driver, and courier partners that feeling safe is a critical part of a high-quality ride-hailing experience. That’s why safety is our top priority, and rider verification is the newest feature we’re testing dedicated to upgrading driver safety," explains Takura Malaba, Bolt Regional Director in East and Southern Africa.

Bolt's new passenger verification feature reflects its ongoing investment in safety and its commitment to address driver concerns. This initiative follows numerous nationwide protests by drivers, urging government intervention in the face of increasing criminal incidents, including the tragic October murder of a driver in Westernburg.

The driver verification feature joins a suite of existing safety features on the Bolt app. This includes the emergency service, which allows drivers to share their details and location with the Automobile Association's contact center. Upon receiving a report, the app immediately deploys private security and emergency services.

Samira Njoya