Bolt says it will follow e-hailing rules in South Africa as illegal risk looms
One of South Africa's most popular e-hailing platforms, Bolt, says it remains committed to complying with the country’s new transport regulations
Image: File
One of South Africa's most popular e-hailing platforms, Bolt, said it remains committed to complying with the country’s new transport regulations, as the deadline for registration with the National Public Transport Regulator approaches.
IOL previously reported that South Africa’s popular e-hailing platforms, including Bolt, could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law as the clock runs out on new government regulations.
The government has introduced the National Land Transport Amendment Act, requiring all e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, to register with authorities. The new regulations mandate that operators display proper vehicle branding, install panic buttons, and secure licenses for both drivers and platforms.
The new rules were introduced to regulate the fast-growing e-hailing industry, improve safety for passengers and drivers, and address the long-standing tensions between e-hailing services and the traditional taxi industry. The rules came into effect in September 2025.
However, as the deadline looms next month, reports indicate that many platforms, including Boltt, have yet to complete the registration process, leaving thousands of drivers at risk of operating outside the law.
Romaana Sutton, Bolt's spokesperson, told IOL that "the company welcome the formal regulation of the e-hailing sector and views the new regulations as an important milestone in strengthening certainty, safety, and accountability across the industry".
Sutton added that Bolt remains focused on safety, accountability, and the ongoing strengthening of its platform’s integrity, but did not provide details on whether the company has completed registration ahead of the looming deadline.
"Bolt is fully committed to aligning with the regulatory framework and collaborating closely with all spheres of government and relevant stakeholders to support drivers, protect livelihoods, and ensure compliance. We remain focused on safety, accountability, and the ongoing strengthening of our platform’s integrity,".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business