Coordinating a Bolt ride for someone else, especially family or friends, has often meant juggling phone calls, sharing trip links on WhatsApp, confirming payments, and hoping everything goes smoothly. However, Bolt is changing that with the launch of its new Family Profile feature in Nigeria, designed to make group mobility more seamless, transparent, and secure.
What Is the Family Profile?
The Family Profile lets one person manage and pay for rides for up to nine other people directly from their Bolt account. While each rider still uses their individual Bolt app to request trips, the primary account holder handles payments and can monitor ride activity in real time.
In a country like Nigeria, where communal living and shared responsibilities are everyday, Bolt sees this feature as a natural fit. Whether it’s helping elderly parents who aren’t tech-savvy, supporting younger siblings, or simply managing transportation for a household, Family Profile consolidates all rides under one digital roof.
“We noticed that 2–6% of rides in Nigeria are booked by someone other than the rider, often requiring multiple calls or messages,” Bolt shared. “This new feature eliminates that friction.”
Key Features and Benefits
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Add up to 9 people to your Family Profile
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Set monthly ride limits to control spending
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Receive real-time trip notifications (e.g., when a ride starts, ends, or takes a detour)
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Centralized payment and trip management
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Complete visibility into ride history and activity
Think of it like YouTube Premium’s Family Plan but for mobility. It’s a powerful tool for caregivers, parents, and anyone looking after family members who may not always have access to smartphones, mobile data, or digital payment options.
Safety Rules Still Apply
While it adds convenience, the feature doesn’t override Bolt’s existing safety policies. Everyone added to a Family Profile must:
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Have a Bolt account
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Be 18 years or older
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Book their rides through the app themselves
Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and this is not a workaround to get younger teens to travel alone via Bolt.
Part of a Bigger Push for Safety and Trust
This launch aligns with Bolt’s broader push to enhance safety and accountability on its platform. Over the last three months, the company has reported a 42% decline in offline trips, attributed to tighter safety protocols.
In addition to the Family Profile, Bolt is also introducing features like
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Improved route mapping
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Live ride monitoring
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Trip verification tools
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Emergency alerts and live location sharing
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A responsive Safety Team for support
With the Family Profile, Bolt is not just making ride-booking easier; it’s adapting to the way Nigerians care for and move with their loved ones. By giving users more control, visibility, and flexibility, Bolt is redefining what shared mobility can look like in a community-centered market.
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