Bolt Launches Ride Hailing Service In Klang Valley To Support Local Shared Mobility Demand

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Europe’s leading mobility company, Bolt has launched its ride-hailing service in Klang Valley, aiming to support Malaysia’s growing demand for shared mobility, projected to serve 11.47 million users by 2029.

Bolt Malaysia’s general manager Afzan Lutfi said the fast-growing Klang Valley, with its rapid urbanisation and evolving transportation needs, offers an ideal landscape for Bolt to help shift reliance from private cars to shared mobility solutions.

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“We see tremendous potential here, not only to serve passengers but also to create meaningful economic opportunities for drivers while contributing to a greener, less car-dependent future,” he told Bernama. 

Afzan emphasised Bolt's commitment to the Klang Valley, with plans to align with the community’s commuting patterns and explore future expansion into other Malaysian cities.

“As we grow and refine our operations, expanding to other urban centres is certainly on our radar,” he added. 

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Bolt aims to be more than just a ride-hailing service, it is also committed to delivering positive, long-term impacts in Malaysian cities.

“Our goal is to redefine urban mobility by providing an affordable, accessible alternative to car ownership, which can help alleviate congestion and improve the quality of life for Malaysians,” he said. 

Since 2013, Bolt has successfully competed with local players and gained the trust of local communities.

Today, the company is valued at 7.4 billion euros and serves 200 million customers across 600 cities globally, through its ride-hailing, micromobility, and delivery services, reflecting strong growth potential in the market.

On another note, Afzan said the company has introduced a capped commission rate of 15 per cent at launch, which has been welcomed by drivers as a fair alternative to high and fluctuating service fees while also running targeted campaigns to boost driver earnings, including offering ringgit bonuses for each ride.

Afzan shared that Bolt is also launching a 50 per cent discount campaign, to attract new passengers.

Bolt is fully licensed as an e-hailing operator by the Land Public Transport Agency and complies with all regulatory requirements.

Every driver-partner holds a valid public service vehicle license and an e-hailing vehicle permit,  and all drivers undergo a thorough vetting process including background checks, photo verification, and real-time selfie verification for the highest level of accountability.

Afzan stressed that safety is a top priority at Bolt, and the company is committed to creating a secure environment for both passengers and drivers. 

“To support real-time safety, our location-sharing feature allows passengers and drivers to share their trip status with trusted contacts. The ride check feature also engages if a vehicle remains still for too long, prompting users to confirm their safety or access emergency options if needed,” he explained. 

Bolt's app is designed with direct feedback from drivers, offering a driver-friendly experience that includes manual ride acceptance by default and custom pickup radius settings.

“For monitoring rides, if a trip goes off-course or stops unexpectedly, our team is alerted and promptly checks in with both driver and passenger,” he added.

On Oct 28, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that new legislation to protect gig economy workers will be introduced and tabled by the Human Resources Ministry during the current Dewan Rakyat session.

The proposed law aims to establish a safety net for gig workers, covering Employees Provident Fund contributions, Social Security Organisation coverage, and medical cost provisions.

Commenting on the proposed legislation, Afzan assured that Bolt complies with all national labour regulations across all its 50 markets, including Malaysia.

"We are currently reviewing the specific legislation to ensure our policies align accordingly," he added.

-- BERNAMA