Ride-hailing giant Bolt has launched a new premium ride category, “Bolt Comfort,” aimed at catering to the rising demand for more luxurious and reliable transportation among Nairobi’s growing middle class and professional workforce.
Unveiled on Wednesday, Bolt Comfort is designed to offer a superior travel experience by incorporating spacious, newer-model vehicles (2016 and above), air-conditioning as standard, and only top-rated drivers with a 4.8+ rating. The service currently operates in key high-demand areas including Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Westlands, Kilimani, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with average pickup times under five minutes.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania, said the new category responds to shifting expectations among the urban middle-income and corporate population. “Our research shows a strong appetite among corporate and middle-income passengers for ride options that offer comfort, reliability, and professionalism. Bolt Comfort is designed to meet exactly that demand,” Kanyankole stated.
Bolt projects that by the end of 2025, the Comfort category could account for up to 10% of all Bolt rides, driven by an increase in professional, entrepreneurial, and corporate clientele seeking quality at a reasonable premium.
Positioned as a mid-tier category bridging the gap between affordability and luxury, Bolt Comfort is approximately 13% cheaper than similar options offered by rival platforms. This makes it an attractive alternative for users who want a better ride without breaking the bank.
The company also sees benefits for drivers. Those onboarded into the Comfort category can expect higher earnings due to increased fare rates, creating a win-win scenario for both service providers and consumers.
Bolt plans to roll out the Comfort service citywide and into Kiambu County by December 2025. The company is targeting a fleet of over 1,000 Comfort vehicles to meet the anticipated demand.
This strategic move underscores Bolt’s commitment to evolving with Nairobi’s dynamic urban mobility needs while setting new standards in ride quality and service professionalism.
