DUBAI: People of Determination in Dubai can now book more accessible taxi rides through the Bolt app using the POD Taxi and POD Taxi VAN categories.
The service is designed for riders with disabilities or special needs who require a more suitable transport option.
Eligible riders can also receive a 50% discount on POD rides by adding their valid Sanad ID number to their Bolt app profile before booking.
The Sanad ID is issued by Dubai’s Community Development Authority.
It confirms that the cardholder is a Person of Determination.
How Riders Can Add Their Sanad ID
To use the discount, riders need to open the Bolt app and go to their account profile.
From there, they can select the Sanad ID option, enter their Sanad ID number, and save it.
Once this is done, the rider can book a POD Taxi or POD Taxi VAN.
Bolt said the Sanad ID option is currently available only in Dubai.
Riders booking from other emirates may not see the option in the app yet.
Discount Appears After the Ride
The 50% discount is not shown at the start of the trip.
It is applied at the end of the journey after the driver verifies the rider’s Sanad ID.
The final discounted amount should appear on the taxi meter and on the ride receipt in the Bolt app.
Riders are advised to keep their Sanad ID ready when the driver arrives.
If the driver cannot verify the card, the ride will continue at the regular fare.
What the Discount Covers
The 50% discount applies only to the trip fare.
It does not cover extra charges such as Salik tolls, border fees, or Bolt booking fees.
Bolt said the RTA booking fee of AED1 is waived for POD riders.
However, the Bolt booking fee still applies.
This fee may be AED3, AED3.50, or AED6.50, depending on the time of day.
Fare May Start at AED4 or AED6
Some riders may notice that the taxi meter starts at AED6 instead of AED4.
Bolt said this does not mean the rider was overcharged.
The starting fare depends on the time of day.
During off-peak hours, the meter starts at AED4.
During peak hours, it starts at AED6.
Both rates already include the 50% Sanad discount.
The POD discount can only be used when the Sanad ID cardholder is inside the vehicle.
Caretakers, relatives, or friends cannot use the discount when travelling alone.
Bolt also clarified that only the Sanad ID issued by Dubai’s Community Development Authority is accepted for this discount.
Other POD cards from different authorities are not accepted for the Bolt POD discount in Dubai.
Riders who did not receive the discount after their Sanad ID was verified can contact Bolt support through the Help section in their ride history.
