Bolt records 42% drop in offline trips in Ghana following safety overhaul
Bolt Ghana has announced a 42 per cent reduction in offline (off-app) trips across its platform, following the rollout of a series of enhanced safety measures aimed at protecting both passengers and drivers.
The drop, observed over the past six months, reflects growing compliance with Bolt’s platform policies and marks a significant shift towards safer ride-hailing practices in the country.
The company in a statement attributed the reduction to stricter enforcement protocols and targeted interventions aimed at discouraging off-platform transactions—an informal practice that bypasses key in-app safety features such as GPS tracking, verified driver and passenger identification, and emergency response tools.
“This drop in offline trips demonstrates a growing culture of accountability and safety within Ghana’s ride-hailing ecosystem,” said Hazel May Omune, Safety Lead for Bolt Africa.
“It’s the result of deliberate actions we’ve taken behind the scenes to ensure every trip on our platform is secure, trackable, and compliant with our safety protocols.”
To support this progress, Bolt introduced a range of safety-focused measures, including a zero-tolerance policy for off-app rides, real-time trip monitoring, and automated systems that flag unusual activity.
In addition, the company has expanded its driver training programmes and intensified public education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with booking rides outside the app.
Offline trips remain a concern across the ride-hailing industry, particularly because they lack the in-built protections provided by app-based services. By curbing their occurrence, Bolt is reinforcing its commitment to building a trustworthy and technology-driven transport network in Ghana.
“Safety is not just a feature—it’s a mindset we are embedding across every level of our platform,” Ms Omune added. “We’re proud of the progress so far, but this is just the beginning. We’ll continue to work with drivers, passengers, regulators, and industry partners to raise the bar for safety in urban mobility.”
Bolt is encouraging all users to continue booking trips through the app in order to benefit from its full suite of safety tools, including live GPS tracking, driver ratings, in-app SOS buttons, and 24/7 support. The company also reaffirmed its ongoing investment in technology and partnerships to promote safety, compliance, and transparency in Ghana’s ride-hailing sector.