Latvia’s Competition Council (KP) has concluded an extensive investigation into the activities of ride-hailing platform Bolt, finding that while the company holds a dominant position in the country’s app-based passenger transport market, the available evidence does not support claims of abuse of dominance.
The investigation focused on Bolt’s operations in Latvia’s digital passenger transport sector, where services are organized through mobile applications. Authorities examined complaints concerning the company’s commission structure, restrictions on driver access to the platform, alleged unequal treatment of drivers, and whether Bolt’s bonus systems and vehicle branding campaigns created unfair competitive pressure.
The KP confirmed that Bolt possesses overwhelming market power in Latvia. According to data cited by the authority, Bolt controlled 91% of the “white number” passenger car transport segment and 82% of the taxi or “yellow number” segment as of May 2025. Rival platform Forus Taxi accounted for the remaining market shares.
Despite this dominance, the authority concluded that Bolt’s conduct did not breach Latvian competition law. The KP found no evidence that the company’s commissions, which generally ranged between 20% and 30%, were excessive or abusive. It also determined that account restrictions imposed on drivers were typically accompanied by explanations and defined suspension periods, rather than arbitrary or indefinite exclusions.
The regulator further rejected claims that Bolt unlawfully applied different conditions to taxi drivers and private passenger transport providers. It noted that the two categories operate under distinct regulatory frameworks, including different requirements regarding taxi meters and licensing obligations.
A key focus of the investigation involved Bolt’s bonus programs and vehicle sticker campaigns. The authority assessed whether these incentives effectively tied drivers exclusively to Bolt’s platform and prevented competitors from exerting meaningful pressure. However, the KP concluded that drivers primarily used Bolt because of its large customer base rather than bonus incentives. Investigators also found that drivers remained free to cooperate with rival platforms simultaneously.
Although the probe ended without sanctions, the KP identified broader regulatory and transparency concerns affecting competition in Latvia’s digital transport market. The authority called for reforms to reduce administrative burdens, improve communication between platforms and drivers, and modernize rules governing trip recording and self-employed drivers.
The Competition Council stated that it will continue monitoring the sector, emphasizing that dominant digital platforms carry a special responsibility to avoid practices that could distort competition or limit driver choice.
