The Bolt ride sharing platform is now available in Galway as part of the company’s nationwide rollout.
Bolt first launched in Dublin in 2020, and later expanded in Cork in 2022. It is now rolling out services nationwide for the first time.
This comes after the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission last week called on the Government to remove regulatory barriers limiting the entry of ride-hailing apps into the taxi market.
The Commission’s research found that 57% of people nationwide believe there are not enough taxis in their area.
While 56% of respondents in Dublin said supply was sufficient, that figure fell to 28% among those living outside Dublin.
Kimberly Hurd, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for Ireland, said, “Ireland has always been an important market for us, and we’ve grown steadily over the years.”
“Expanding our services nationwide allows us to make transport more accessible while supporting drivers with flexible, transparent earning opportunities.”
“We welcome last week’s intervention by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and its call to examine how better regulation can unlock taxi supply, particularly in more rural areas.”
“We believe a long-term focus on increasing availability and improving coverage would benefit passengers and drivers alike.”
