Bolt: Worst transport service provider in South Africa

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share my experience using Bolt in Phoenix, Durban.

I have been a loyal passenger using Bolt services on almost a regular basis in the past that was until I had a truly frustrating experience.

I regularly get complaints from the drivers that they are dissatisfied with Bolt as customers are often given discounts and apparently Bolt does not compensate them for this, assuming that this is just a way for them to ask for a tip indirectly, I have always shown my gratitude to the driver whenever I used their transport services.

One night after requesting a ride, a driver named Daryl had accepted my request and arrived to my pickup location, he then asked me directly if I had a discount and the amount that the app has displayed for the ride, as I believe this does not show on the driver app, at this point he cancelled my request and demanded that I pay him the full amount for the ride, I agreed as I was in a hurry to return home.

Upon reaching my destination the driver demanded cash as he has advised that card payments are delayed by Bolt and costly to him so he takes cash, I paid him with a R100 note for a R50 ride which was supposed to cost me R32 as per the app, the driver stated that he does not have change and I need to make change and pay him, at approximately 8:30 in the night, this meant that I needed to go to a 24hour service station to make a purchase to get change to pay the driver, upon returning back to my destination the driver then informed me that I now owe him R100 for the trip to the service station and back to my home.

I was really frustrated but paid him anyway and I decided immediately that I will not be using Bolt anymore.

The issues that drivers have with Bolt should be taken up with the company and they should not be trying to ******* passengers in this way. This is definitely not the type of service we expect.

I have been receiving regular invites to use Bolt again as quoted "We(Bolt) is missing their favorite customer", I then felt that it was important to share the reason that I have moved on to another transport provider service that offers sterling services to their customers and make their passengers feel happy and safe when traveling with them.

I received a very unprofessional response from a representative named Hrithik and this is the reason I am sharing my experience with everyone as I feel that everyone should be careful when using Bolt.