The ride-hailing service from Estonia, Taxify, has rebranded to Bolt.
The firm says the new name is meant to reflect its expanded services which includes providing multiple transportation options beyond private cars.
Co-founder and chief executive of Taxify (now Bolt), Markus Villig, said that Bolt represents the company’s goal of solving urban transportation problems beyond sharing taxis to motorbikes and scooter sharing.
“The rebrand from Taxify to Bolt is serving a few purposes. Tapping the basic meanings of bolt, the new name implies speed, as well as electricity.
“We are bullish that the future is fully electric and so we wanted a name that moved us away from the combustion engine,” Villig said.
He also said the new brand would be gradually rolled out across global markets over the following weeks.
Users will not need to take any action as the app will update automatically.
The company’s Regional Manager for West Africa, Uche Okafor, said the new name is to signify effortless movement around the city.
“Our new name ‘Bolt’ stands for fast, effortless movement – exactly what the experience of getting around in a city should be, be it by car, scooter or public transport. It also underscores our belief that the future of transportation will be electric,” he said.
