Bolt Rides on ChatGPT: Book in South Africa Now

South African commuters can now book Bolt rides directly through ChatGPT. This new feature allows users to request trips using natural language within OpenAI’s chatbot. Here's how it works: after installing a plugin from the ChatGPT store, users can ask the AI assistant for a ride. They can get fare estimates, compare route options, and check a driver's estimated arrival time. However, the final booking still happens within the Bolt app, where trip details are transferred. What's interesting is that payments currently remain outside ChatGPT, processed through the Bolt app. In-chat payments are planned for a future update. Bolt views this integration as a response to changing consumer habits, citing research that shows many travelers use AI for trip planning. This move positions Bolt within a broader trend of AI-commerce integrations, where companies like OpenAI are encouraging brands to build plugins for transactional purposes. For Bolt, it offers a new way for users to discover and access its service. This integration also comes amid growing competition in Africa's ride-hailing market.