• Ride-hailing platform Bolt has launched a new feature that allows users to pre-schedule pick-ups at the airport.
• More than just scheduling, users can now sync their flights to the app meaning that the schedule will be automatically adjusted if there are any delays.
• The feature has the potential to add peace of mind to stressed travelers.

You’ve just arrived at OR Tambo International Airport after a 14 hour flight, and must now begin a long and stress-filled process of figuring out how to get home. While there are people at the airport that can help you find and book a ride, what if your ride was already waiting for you?

A new in-app feature from Bolt does just that. According to the popular-ride hailing platform, Bolt now lets you syncronise your flight details to the app in order to pre-schedule pick-ups at major airports around the country, including OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Cape Town International Airport (CPT), King Shaka International Airport (DUR), Lanseria International Airport (HLA), and Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ).

“Bolt South Africa announces the launch of Flight Tracking for Scheduled Rides, enabling customers to sync their flight details when scheduling an airport pick-up. If a flight is delayed or cancelled, Bolt will automatically adjust the pick-up time or cancel the ride at no extra cost to the customer,” the company says in announcement.

In the Bolt app, customers can now select the “Schedule” button on the home screen next to the destination search bar.

“After entering their arrival airport and destination, they can select ‘Add flight details’ to input their flight’s landing date, airline, flight number, or departure city.”

Customers can also specify how many minutes after landing they would like to be collected, in case they want to do some last-minute duty free shopping, get something to eat or say goodbye to fellow travelers without needing to rush.

Bolt says that ride will automatically be scheduled according to flight updates, like delays, which can occur even while you’re in the air.

Automatic scheduling means that you can take your flight without having to stress about how you’ll get home after landing, because it will already be sorted out. The company has also extended its ride-scheduling window to 90 days, so you can pre-plan all aspects of your trip in advance.

“This allows customers to travel directly from Arrivals without the need to find separate pick-up points,” says Lerato Motsoeneng, senior general manager.

“With Flight Tracking for Scheduled Rides, our private and Bolt Business customers can now enjoy peace of mind knowing their ride will adjust if their flight is delayed or cancelled at no extra charge. This means less time spent waiting at the airport and more reliable, seamless travel regardless of the hour.”

Earlier this month, Bolt launched a new initiative to allow drivers to use their smartphones front and back cameras to become both exterior and interior dash cameras, with videos backed to the cloud.

Bolt explained that driver partners will receive a free month of access to the premium dash cam app, and then be able to access it at a 75 percent discounted rate of R54.99 per month.