Ride hailing firm Bolt has suspended its controversial booking fees as addresses issues raised by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) before renewal of its operating licence.

This has been confirmed by Bolt Country Manager Linda Ndung’u, who says the fees will remain suspended to await clarity from NTSA on regulatory interpretation on the issue.

According to Ndung’u, the Bolt platform’s commission structure strictly conforms to the requirements of the law guiding taxi-hailing platforms and has been capped at 18 per cent.

She affirmed that it has been engaging with the regulator to address the booking fees and commission slapped on drivers and anticipates its license will be renewed on Monday.

“The licence renewal process is currently in progress with constant engagement and collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority, and it is expected to be finalised by Monday, October 30, 2023 as per letter by NTSA to Bolt,” said Ndung’u.

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She added, “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.”

She pledged that the firm will work with NTSA to iron out any pending issues and clarified that Bolt services are legally active using the existing licence that she says remain valid.

“According to Section 32(4) of the NTSA Act, we are permitted to continue operating until the licence application process is officially determined.

According to the NTSA Act, a hailing company’s operating license remains validly active if the firm has proceedings pending before the regulator on the date of its expiration.