European rideshare service Bolt has launched in Auckland today, with the promise of better deals and more competition in the taxi alternative market.

Bolt New Zealand general manager Adam Muirson says the ride-hailing market in Aotearoa has long been dominated by one major player (Uber), limiting choices for riders and drivers.

“Bolt aims to change that by bringing much-needed competition, shaped by our experience in Europe and Africa. We’re here not just as an alternative, but to raise the standard with fairer, more reliable service for everyone.”

Change how Kiwis move

Despite having the highest private car ownership rate in the world, Aotearoa is seeing a shift driven by rising parking costs, increasing congestion and growing environmental concerns.

In Auckland, where parking prices rose again in April 2025, flexible transport options are becoming more relevant – particularly among younger people who are delaying or forgoing a driver’s licence altogether in favour of convenience and shared mobility.

“We’re seeing a trend of younger Kiwis getting their licences later and moving away from car ownership,” says Muirson. “So we see a clear opportunity to help reshape urban mobility and build the future of transport here.”

Muirson adds that New Zealand’s digital savviness and car dependency make it an ideal market for smarter transport solutions like Bolt.

For people, not cars

Bolt puts drivers at the centre of its model, offering flexible schedules, 24/7 local support and a competitive commission structure to boost earnings.

“We’ve established a local support office in Auckland so our partner drivers can speak directly to someone who understands their needs – and we know this is important to them,” says Muirson.

He adds that Bolt’s commission model allows drivers to keep more of what they earn, making the platform more rewarding and sustainable for those behind the wheel.

“When drivers are better supported, riders benefit too – with quicker pickups and a more consistent experience.

Beyond its focus on drivers, Bolt is driven by a broader mission: to build cities for people, not cars.

For decades, cities have been built for cars, leading to unsustainable traffic, pollution and creating more parking spaces instead of parks, Muirson says.

“We aim to reduce reliance on private vehicles by offering shared, efficient transport – and ride-hailing plays a key role in that vision.”

Happier drivers equals happier riders

The Bolt app was built with safety as a top priority – for both riders and drivers – and is supported by a dedicated in-house safety team.

In addition to standard measures such as rider and driver profile photos, driver background checks, 24/7 customer support and real-time ride tracking, Bolt offers an extensive suite of safety features, including:

• Share location: Riders and drivers can share a real-time trip link via email, SMS, WhatsApp or Telegram, enabling friends or family to follow the journey live.

• Rider/driver unmatching: If a rider rates a trip with one star, they will automatically be unmatched with that driver for future ride requests.

• Trusted contacts: Users can add friends or relatives to a trusted contact list. If there is a safety-related incident, Bolt’s safety team can reach out to those contacts if the rider or driver cannot be reached.

“Our lean, efficient approach allows us to offer quality service without cutting into driver earnings,” says Muirson. “We’ve proven this model in over 50 countries, showing that fairer, more balanced ride-hailing leads to stronger networks and better outcomes. We believe happier drivers equals happier riders.”