Bolt is expanding its Liverpool operation by adding private car journeys through its app, with passengers and drivers able to negotiate the fare. The new Bolt Flex service adds ride-hailing to the company’s existing electric bikes and scooters, giving people more choice over how they travel and how much they pay.
The Estonian company Bolt is expanding its service offerings in Liverpool by introducing a new ride-hailing service for private cars. This development marks a significant update to the firm's existing presence in the city, where it already operates a fleet of over 2,000 e-scooters that launched earlier this year. Through its new Bolt Flex program, the company aims to offer a different experience for passengers, who can now access private hire vehicles through the same app used for their micro-mobility services.
A notable feature of this new service is its departure from the traditional ride-hailing model that has been standard for over a decade. Rather than rely on a set fare calculated automatically by an algorithm, Bolt Flex allows both riders and drivers to propose their own prices. Through the app, riders and drivers can negotiate and agree upon a fare before a journey begins.
According to the company, riders have the flexibility to offer a lower price if they are willing to wait longer for a match or, conversely, bid a higher amount to increase their chances of a quicker pickup. Drivers maintain the ability to either accept the proposed fare or counter with a different price. A trip is only confirmed once both parties reach a mutual agreement. This new service model is part of a broader strategy for Bolt, which has been positioning itself as a central player in urban mobility since launching in Liverpool in February.
At that time, Liverpool became the first location in the United Kingdom to receive Bolt’s solar-assisted shared e-bikes, which are equipped with integrated solar panels designed to extend battery life. This technology allowed users to access vehicles in the southern part of the city for the first time.
Currently, the new ride-hailing scheme is not exclusive to Liverpool; it is already operational in other major UK cities, including Knowsley, Chester, and Greater Manchester, as the company seeks to scale its multi-modal transport platform.
