With Malaysia’s e-hailing market expected to reach 11.47 million by 2029, it is no surprise for Europe’s leading mobility company, Bolt, to expand its affordable ride-hailing services in Klang Valley.
According to Bolt Malaysia General Manager Afzan Lutfi, Bolt’s expansion into Malaysia is driven by the immense potential in the market, especially in the fast-growing Klang Valley.
“With rapid urbanisation and a high demand for reliable and affordable transportation, this area is ideal for Bolt to introduce its service.
“Bolt aims to support this growth by offering accessible, affordable and lower-emission mobility options for Klang Valley and beyond,” Afzan told BusinessToday in an email interview.
He added that the move aligns with its global strategy of providing quality mobility solutions in dynamic and high-demand areas.
Afzan then highlighted that ride-hailing is not a monopolistic market as it is being challenged all the time.
“However, our ultimate goal is to redefine urban mobility by providing an affordable, accessible and alternative to car ownership, which can help alleviate congestion and improve the quality of life for Malaysians.
“We see tremendous potential here not only to serve riders but also to create meaningful economic opportunities for drivers while contributing to a greener and less car-dependent future,” he said.
Attracting Drivers Onboard
Asked how Bolt intends to attract drivers to join their platform considering most of the e-hailing drivers in Klang Valley are either attached to Grab or AirAsia Ride, Afzan said the company offers drivers multiple options for accessing the money they make in-app, according to local needs and expectations, including early cash-out of options.
“Our goal is to provide a flexible earning opportunity for people in the Klang Valley where they can drive whenever they want and earn extra income.
“Because at Bolt, we believe that happy drivers lead to happy passengers and therefore we aim to treat driver partners better than our competitors,” he explained.
He mentioned that the company also ensure its driver support strategy centres on three key pillars: Earnings, driver-first features and safety.
“For the driver-first features pillar, the Bolt’s app is tailored based on direct driver feedback to create a more driver-friendly experience. For example, our drivers have the option of manually accepting rides by default or the option to enable auto-accept if they prefer.
“At the same time, we also allow drivers to set their pickup radius, giving them control over how far they travel to pick up passengers,” he said, adding that this approach not only emphasises incentives over penalty, it also creates an empowering environment for the drivers.
As for the safety pillar, Afzan said Bolt has developed a comprehensive suite of features to ensure both drivers and passengers feel secure while using Bolt.
“Some of these features include the passenger selfie verification function that will give extra assurance to the driver to confirm the passenger identities; the in-app emergency contact function which allows the driver to reach emergency services directly through the app; the ride monitoring function where if a ride goes off-course or stops unexpectedly, the Bolt’s team will receive an alert and will promptly check in with both the drivers and passenger; and the 24/7 live support function where drivers can access real-time support from a dedicated team whenever they need assistance.
“These safety features are also designed to protect the Bolt users, ensuring everyone’s safety,” he shared.
He added that this structure ensures Bolt drivers can benefit from enhanced earnings, a driver-centric app and robust safety measures.
Afzan then revealed that in the long run, Bolt is committed to establishing a loyal customer base while ensuring a fair income for its drivers. The company aims to create a seamless and safe transportation experience that aligns with Malaysia’s evolving mobility landscape.
Target For 2025
Regarding the company’s target for next year, Afzan revealed to BusinessToday that Bolt’s immediate focus is expanding and refining its ride-hailing services to meet the increasing demand for flexible and affordable transportation.
“As cities grow and mobility needs evolve, we are committed to making ride-hailing a core part of Malaysia’s urban mobility landscape, supporting the country’s long-term development goals by offering a dependable alternative to private car ownership.
“As such, we are determined to work closely with Malaysian authorities to ensure full compliance with local regulations and industry standards,” he said, adding that Bolt aims to contribute positively to Malaysia’s transportation landscape while delivering a reliable and compliant service to its users.
