Ride‑hailing company Bolt has issued an official statement addressing driver concerns about passenger discounts and growing customer frustration over long taxi wait times in Baku.
Speaking to Oxu.Az, company representatives said there is a widespread misconception among drivers that promotional discounts for passengers reduce their earnings.
“If a passenger receives a discount during a promotion, Bolt pays the driver the difference in full. Their income is not negatively affected,” the company clarified.
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Bolt also highlighted a recent update allowing drivers to cash out their earnings daily — including the portion covered by the company for passenger discounts — rather than waiting for weekly payouts. The move, it said, boosts financial flexibility and transparency for driver‑partners.
On the issue of delays, Bolt cited several factors, including ongoing roadworks, traffic congestion, street closures, and a recent policy deactivating vehicles older than 15 years to improve service quality and safety. The company noted it has also introduced new electric taxis to the fleet since late 2024.
The clarification comes after drivers voiced anger over what they saw as excessive discounts, claiming fares originally set at 15 manats could drop to just 6 manats for passengers. Meanwhile, some users have reported wait times stretching to 30 minutes or more.
