New Uber-style service Bolt expands operation to cover New Forest
A UBER-style service popular across Europe is expanding to the New Forest
Estonian-based firm Bolt began operating in Southampton last April and has seen an upswing in city dwellers using the app to get to and from Forest spots.
Bolt is predicting a 30% increase in the app’s usage over the Christmas and new year, adding the service connects well to the Forest’s public transport hubs and tourist sites.
A Bolt spokesperson told the A&T: “Expanding our service means it will be easier to get to Southampton and around the surrounding area throughout the busy festive season, during which the popularity of the service is set to increase by a whopping 30%.
“Demand for the firm’s ride-hailing is already high due to the dark and cold days of October and November. For example, Bolt saw a huge 50% increase in popularity on Tuesday, 31st October, compared to the days prior.
“We’re anticipating the New Forest extension being popular since [we] can see that many existing customers have already opened the app in the new operating area, including the likes of Beaulieu, Lymington and Brockenhurst, or have finished their ride in it having started their journey in Southampton.”
The spokesperson said expanding their services means more rides can start from public transport hubs, including Lymington Town, Brockenhurst and Ashurst railway stations.
He added: “We’re hoping the expansion will be well used after the anticipated rush during December, including acting as a convenient connection to the likes of the Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Wightlink ferry service from Lymington.”
Bolt’s senior operations manager Markian Iwaniw added: “The run-up to Christmas is a busy time for everyone, including passengers and drivers who use Bolt.
“Since shared mobility – including ride-hailing – has such a crucial role within the wider transport ecosystem during this time, and drivers registered on the Bolt platform naturally play a significant part in this, we thought it would be beneficial for both sides to expand the area in which they can access our valuable service.”
