App-based taxi service Bolt is launching in Newport after successfully launching in Cardiff in 2021. The Estonian company is available in many cities across Europe, the UK, and Africa.
Newport is the 17th city in the UK that Bolt has launched in and customers can use the service from Wednesday. To do say they need to download the app then enter in some details like their name and payment details and then are free to ride.
The app works by entering in where you would like to go, selecting this location, and then waiting for a driver to confirm the trip and come to collect you. Once a driver has confirmed a trip you learn the driver's name, car type and colour, and car registration plate number ensuring that customers only get in certified and safe cars.
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Before customers confirm the ride the price of the trip is also shown along with how far away the driver who is likely to confirm the ride is away from the pick-up point, which the customer chooses. Bolt drivers earn a 15% commission and the Bolt licence covers the whole of Newport.
Josh Ryan, operations manager for UK expansion at Bolt, said: “Our objective has always been to offer affordable, safe, convenient rides to the more than 4m customers that turn to Bolt to get around. This is true as ever as we hope to continue to play a part in helping drivers and passengers in Newport and across the country get back to a sense of normality following the pandemic.”
Currently other services like Bolt where customers order a taxi from an app are available in Newport including Uber and Dragon Taxis. In August 2021 Dragon Taxis had to increase their prices during peak times in Newport due to a "grave shortage" of licensed drivers.
