Bolt Kenya has today announced it is suspending its 5% booking fee pending clarification from the National Transport and Regulatory Authority (NTSA) amidst license renewal troubles.
This comes after Bolt has been in disputes with the NTSA over its license renewal in the country. The Authority had previously rejected renewing Bolt’s license citing illegal commission charges and booking fees among other alleged charges. The firm has now said that the suspension of the booking fee will help provide clarification on the interpretation of the regulations on this particular matter.
While the move comes in efforts to alleviate the NTSA’s concerns over the booking fee, Bolt has further highlighted that its commission structure strictly adheres to the stipulated regulatory requirement of capping at 18%. The firm adds, “We want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to operating within the bounds of the law, ensuring that our operations fully align with the legal framework. We remain committed to collaborating closely with the regulator to ensure a successful outcome.”
In a statement shared today, the taxi-hailing company has further affirmed that its operations are ongoing and remain uninterrupted in the country. Bolt argues that the current license is legally valid according to Section 32(4) of the NTSA Act, which permits operations to continue until the license application process is officially determined.
The NTSA Act states that “If on the date of the expiration of a license…proceedings are pending before the Authority on an application by the licensee for the grant to him of a new license, the existing license shall continue in force until the application is determined…”
The renewal process is currently ongoing and expected to be completed by Monday, October 30, 2023, as per a letter by NTSA to Bolt.
