By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Nov. 5, GNA – Eighty-one per cent of Ghanaians perceive ride-hailing services as safer than other traditional transport options, according to a new Ride-Hailing Safety Index Survey.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos, in collaboration with Bolt, in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi, explored how safety influences ride-hailing adoption in Ghana in contrast to other transportation services.
It also looked at the role of technology in promoting trust, and how ride-hailing services are contributing to safer urban travel.
Nearly all respondents (92 per cent) said they used ride-hailing when seeking safer or more reliable travel, particularly for late-night trips, which was rated 70 per cent.
The index was presented at an event in Accra, organised by Bolt, titled: “Insights on Ride-hailing Safety in Ghana.”
Ms Sandra Susan Buyole, the Regional PR Manager for Bolt Africa, shared the company’s reaction to the high safety perception.
“We were immensely overwhelmed with the positive results. I mean, 81% of passengers in Ghana saying that they feel safer using ride-hailing than other transport modes, I think is a great and a very big achievement for us at Bolt,” she said.
She said the result showcased the significant amount of work being done to enhance safety, calling it a “great endorsement.”
Ms Buyole noted that her outfit’s safety framework was implemented through a comprehensive toolkit, including audio trip recording for in-trip security, Share Trip Life Status for real-time location sharing, and the SOS Emergency Button.
Mr Albert Wotorgbiu, Acting Deputy Director, Research, Business Development and Innovation at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), confirmed the findings of the survey and highlighted the DVLA’s active role in maintaining safety standards within the sector.
“At DVLA, safety, both for the rider and the driver, is our priority ensuring the mandatory verification process for ride-hailing platforms. When Bolt accepts you or start registering you as a driver or a vehicle on their platform, they have to come to DVLA for verification of all your documents,” he said.
“First of all, your driving licence. And then with the car itself, whether your road readiness is up to date.” Addressing the public preference for ride-hailing,” he said.
Mr Wotorgbiu acknowledged the need for broader improvements despite the major inroads in the sector.
“Probably what we can do as a country is also to start educating the other drivers and other vehicle operators as to what to also do to improve safety standards in their operations,” he said.
Mr Witness Soyinka, Ipsos Head of Strategy Africa, said the findings showed that Ghanaians increasingly associate ride-hailing due to reliability, traceability, and accountability.
He noted that those qualities were essential for building long-term trust in mobility services.
Mr Soyinka said safety features that enhanced visibility and control were the main drivers of passenger confidence, especially among women and younger users.
The Ride-Hailing Safety Index Report provides a data-driven foundation to inform future improvements in safety, innovation, and awareness.
It will support ongoing partnerships with regulators and the wider transport community to promote safer, more reliable urban mobility across Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe