Ride hailing app arrives in city

Bolt - the UK’s second largest ride-hailing app - is coming to Birmingham and Wolverhampton, in the next stage of its regional expansion.

The fastest-growing mobility platform in the world, with 50 million users globally, has launched its affordable ride-hailing service in both cities and is on a mission to help the cities’ residents get around town quickly and easily as they continue to enjoy their favourite destinations and venues. The service will also be available in Solihull and Walsall, extending into Dudley and Sandwell in the next few weeks.

Bolt’s arrival will keep residents moving, while encouraging the recovery of businesses of all sizes from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Bolt first launched in London in 2019, and Birmingham and Wolverhampton are the latest pieces of it’s expansion puzzle across the UK, having recently launched in Leicester and Milton Keynes. The ride-hailing app is now aiming to expand to ten cities by the end of the year, whilst Birmingham will become the home of Bolt’s regional hub, overseeing operations in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Milton Keynes and Peterborough, with more cities to follow.

With the recent announcement from the Prime Minister that social distancing measures are likely to stay in place for a while longer, Bolt’s arrival in the region offers residents a safe and secure way of getting around the city while adhering to ongoing Covid regulations.

Sam Raciti, general manager UK at Bolt, said: “Bolt’s launch in Birmingham and Wolverhampton complements the council’s commitment to sustainability as a 100% carbon-neutral service.

"The implementation of the Clean Air Zone shouldn’t stop Brummies moving around their city freely. Whether it’s travelling home from university, a night out in Digbeth or some retail therapy at the Bullring, Birmingham is a natural home for Bolt’s safe, easy and affordable approach to transport.”