Digital taxi hailing firm Bolt has revised its fare prices in response to the challenging macroeconomic factors affecting the public transport sector such as the recent fuel price hike.
In Nairobi, the increased prices have been effected in all categories with the base fare ranging from KES. 70 and KES. 100 across the Economy, Base, Boda and XL categories. The minimum fare has also been increased, with a range of Sh200 and Sh250 across the categories. Bolt has also increased per kilometre pricing and introduced a long distance rate.
Linda Ndungu, Country Manager, said: “At Bolt, the interests of our driver community remain at the heart of our business and we truly believe that happy drivers provide better quality service for customers. As such, we have adjusted our pricing to mitigate the rising fuel costs. This adjustment reaffirms our commitment to offering top earnings for drivers on our platform, and to remain the preferred, cost-effective choice for our customers.”
Price changes will also be implemented across all categories in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Naivasha and Mt. Kenya region.
Last weekend the government revised the prices of fuel by increasing the cost of petrol by Sh5.72, diesel by Sh4.48, and kerosene by Sh2.45 per liter.
As a result, Super Petrol is now retailing at Sh217.36, diesel at Sh205.47, and kerosene at Sh205.06 in Nairobi.
During a press conference held on Saturday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir explained, “Yesterday we had a Cabinet meeting where we decided to intervene and alleviate the burden on Kenyans. We used to provide relief through subsidies, but we have now set that aside.”
The Cabinet decided to employ the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) as a means to provide relief to Kenyans.
“We have allocated Sh1.77 billion for this purpose,” Chirchir stated, revealing the specific amounts subtracted due to the removal of the PDL, which include Sh3.07 from super petrol, Sh11.64 from diesel, and Sh9.6 from kerosene.
The Petroleum Development Levy is one of nine taxes imposed on petroleum products.
In August, the government clarified that it was not reinstating fuel subsidies but rather employing fuel stabilization through the Petroleum Development Levy.
