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Bolt has introduced a new ride category, Bolt Comfort, targeting Nairobi’s rising middle-class and professional clientele who prefer more premium transport services.
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Launched on Wednesday, the move aims to draw higher-end passengers and boost ride values in response to shifting urban mobility needs. Bolt estimates that Comfort rides could make up 10% of all bookings by the end of 2025, driven by customers seeking enhanced ride quality for a slightly higher fee.
According to Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania, the decision was based on increasing demand for comfort, reliability, and professional service among middle-income earners and corporate users.
“Our findings reveal a significant interest in rides that combine convenience, professionalism, and enhanced comfort. Bolt Comfort is designed to fill that gap,” said Kanyankole.
Vehicles under this category will feature newer models (from 2016 onwards), be air-conditioned, and be driven by top-rated drivers (with ratings of 4.8 and above). The service is currently available in select high-traffic Nairobi zones such as the CBD, Westlands, Kilimani, and JKIA, with pickup times expected to be under five minutes.
The company intends to expand Comfort services across Nairobi and into Kiambu County by December 2025, aiming for over 1,000 vehicles in this category.
Bolt also attributes the move to a broader trend of increasing demand for premium transport options among the growing population of professionals and entrepreneurs in urban Kenya.
“Comfort strikes a balance between affordability and luxury by offering enhanced travel experiences at a cost roughly 13% cheaper than similar ride categories on competing platforms,” the company noted.
Drivers under this category are also expected to earn more due to higher fare rates.
