Bolt, the popular e-hailing service, has released a new ride option that’s raising eyebrows.
They’re calling it Bolt Lite, but critics are calling it a disaster waiting to happen.
Imagine catching a ride in what’s arguably South Africa’s cheapest “car”.
We’re not talking about a swanky sedan or a zippy hatchback; we’re talking about the Bajaj Qute – a vehicle that some experts dub more “quadricycle” than a car.
The Qute has a small 216cc single-cylinder engine, barely generating 9.7kW of power and
18.9Nm torque.
To put that in perspective, South Africa’s actual cheapest car, the Suzuki S-Presso, could run circles around it with its 1.0-litre engine producing 49kW and 89Nm torque.
Bolt Lite, strapped to the back of these micro-sized wheels, is cruising onto the streets with fares that seem tempting but come with their own concerns.
The Qute’s heart-stopping fuel consumption of just 2.86 litres per 100km might be attractive for budget-conscious riders, but it also means more pit stops – its tiny 8-litre tank can only take you a modest 280 km.
The microcar is priced at R85,000 and can also be bought through a rent-to-buy choice at R650 per week.
For the passenger, Bolt Lite offers a tempting cost of R10 per kilometre and is between 10-30% cheaper, depending on ride distance.
But Bolt Lite only allows one passenger per trip, unlike the Qute vehicle, which accommodates up to three passengers along with the driver.
Takura Malaba, Bolt’s regional manager for East and Southern Africa, informed
MyBroadband that the Lite service is only available in Randburg, Parktown, Melville, Linden, Braamfontein, and Rosebank.
“We will continue to evaluate the performance of this category before extending into other Johannesburg areas,” he added.
Critics argue this move could disrupt the public transport sector.
Vhatuka Mbelengwa, a voice from the South African E-hailing Association, warns that this could be a recipe for chaos, potentially starting a war between this quadricycle and other taxi operators.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: The Qute micocar
