Bolt launches Donegal taxi service as part of 21-county rollout

Bolt, one of Europe’s largest ride-hailing platforms, has expanded its taxi services to  Donegal.

The rollout to 21 more counties, having initially been in Dublin and Cork, follows an intervention last week by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which called on the Government to remove regulatory barriers limiting the entry of ride-hailing apps, including Bolt and Uber, 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.

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Bolt first launched in Dublin in 2020, expanded to Cork in 2022, and has since experienced rapid growth. Online taxi drivers on the platform increased by 50% between 2024 and 2025.

The expansion opens the platform to thousands more licensed taxi drivers, who can now accept pre-booked trips through the Bolt app. To support the launch, drivers will benefit from a 5% commission, allowing them to retain a larger share of their earnings.

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."

The areas Bolt has expanded to include Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

Passengers using Bolt can view fares upfront, track drivers in real time, and share trip details with friends and family. The service operates in line with Irish licensing regulations and supports pre-booked trips nationwide.

Bolt already operates in Dublin and Cork and runs e-bike and scooter schemes in towns across Ireland. The Bolt app is available for download on iOS and Android.

Bolt is the European mobility platform with over 200 million customers in over 50 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. The company seeks to accelerate the transition from owned cars to shared mobility, offering better alternatives for every use case.