“It’s a paradigm shift” in the micromobility sector… Operating in Brussels, Bolt is set to become the first electric scooter operator to launch a pricing system that “prioritizes safety over speed” in this city… In doing so, it is breaking with the traditional per-minute billing model used by all operators in the industry… Zoom in on the details of this surprising announcement in the sector…
A revolution in security
Today, except for flat-rate passes, free-floating micromobility operators have a pricing system based on the length of time a vehicle is used. The challenge with this model is that it encourages users to look for speed to minimize the cost of their journey. And this is to the detriment of safety regulations. Bolt’s new distance-based pricing aims to ensure safer driving and “encourage more responsible mobility”. A few years ago, operators such as Bond Mobility and Dott quickly experimented with this payment model in cities such as Lyon. However, they have stopped using this model since…
Charging users for mobility services on the basis of distance rather than time is a crucial step in prioritising safety over speed. This removes the financial incentive to use transport in risky or dangerous ways in order to reach the destination more quickly.
MARÍA SEGUÍ-GÓMEZ, CHAIR OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR MICROMOBILITY AT BOLT
A first trial in Brussels
On Monday, 16 October, a European survey indicated safety issues with Belgian electric scooter drivers. This is why Bolt has chosen Brussels as the starting point for rolling out its new pricing model. For the moment, no precise date has been announced. However, the micromobility operator plans to introduce this distance-based calculation formula by the end of 2023…
We are already committed to introducing distance-based pricing in Brussels later this year, with the aim of promoting user safety while offering a more responsible travel experience.
MARC NAETHER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER AT BOLT BENELUX
In January 2024, only two operators will have the privilege of continuing to operate in Brussels. However, each will see its fleet considerably reduced. The fleet will be reduced to 4,000 scooters per company, giving a total of 8,000, compared with 20,000 at present. It would appear that e-scooters are no longer welcome in town… The tender to appoint these two operators is currently underway, and the winners will be announced in December 2023. Stay tuned for the winners…
