Bolt South Africa's landmark registration under new transport regulations promises improved safety standards.
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Bolt South Africa has officially become the first major ride-hailing platform to register under the country’s newly implemented transport regulations, marking a significant and potentially contentious shift in the e-hailing landscape.
On 27 February 2026, the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) issued the platform with a Certificate of Registration, formally confirming its compliance with the new regulatory framework. The move comes as the government pushes to formalise and modernise the sector, promising enhanced safety standards for both passengers and driver operators.
Fikile Nzuza-Chunga, Senior Public Policy Manager for Bolt South Africa, stated: “We have always welcomed the introduction of clear and progressive regulations for the e-hailing sector. From the outset, we have worked closely with regulators and industry stakeholders to ensure compliance and welcome the framework that supports innovation, safety, and sustainable growth.”
According to Nzuza-Chunga, the milestone is intended to strengthen trust. “Receiving the Certificate of Registration from the NPTR is an important milestone not only for Bolt, but for the broader e-hailing industry, as it strengthens trust and enhances safety for both driver operators and passengers,” she added.
However, the path toward industry-wide compliance remains fraught with tension. While Bolt is moving forward with the new rules, the KZN E-Hailing Council has been vocal in its opposition to several pillars of the current regulatory framework.
Last year, the Council submitted a series of formal objections to the Department of Transport, challenging everything from licensing geography to the financial burden of safety measures.
A primary point of contention for the KZN E-Hailing Council is the current structure of operating licences. The Council is pushing for a shift toward nationwide operational scope, arguing that restricting licences to specific towns or cities “imposes unnecessary constraints on the mobility of e-hailing drivers and limits their capacity to respond to customer demands dynamically.”
Furthermore, the Council has rejected provisions regarding the suspension or cancellation of access to platforms (Section 21) and the requirement for drivers to fund the installation and maintenance of panic buttons.
Regarding the financial burden placed on drivers, the Council noted: “The cost of installing and maintaining a panic button system is prohibitively high for most drivers. Monthly subscription fees for panic button services from security companies start at R500. Contracts typically require a minimum commitment of 24 months, amounting to R12,000 over two years.”
The Council argues that app providers, who collect commissions on every trip, should bear the cost of safety infrastructure rather than passing it on to drivers who are already grappling with rising operational costs.
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