The Bolt taxi service is introducing a new feature in Bratislava designed to address one of the most common problems passengers face—the lack of a common language with the driver. From now on, you can select a ride category directly in the app to be matched with a driver who speaks Slovak or English.
How it works and how much it costs
Starting October 8, 2026, new options with special flag icons have appeared in the Bolt app when booking a ride in Bratislava:
Bolt v slovenčine / Slovak Speaker (Slovak flag icon)
Bolt v angličtine / English Speaker (English flag icon)
In the city, these new categories are available for standard rides, and when booking a ride from Bratislava Airport, they’re available in the Comfort category.
The main benefit for passengers is that there’s no extra charge. The cost of a ride with the selected language option will be the same as usual.
It’s Not About Citizenship, but About Communication
The company emphasizes that the classification is based not on the driver’s nationality or passport, but solely on conversational language proficiency.
A foreigner who speaks Slovak well can work freely in the Slovak category. Conversely, a Slovak driver who speaks English can receive orders in the English-speaking category. Drivers undergo a voluntary proficiency test before being assigned to the appropriate group.
“We know that for some customers, language can be a real barrier. We strive to provide a sense of confidence and comfort — whether they’re local residents, seniors, tourists, foreigners living in Slovakia, or corporate clients,” said Jakub Motovský, Bolt’s general manager in Slovakia.
Why This Innovation Matters: Statistics and Real-Life Situations
The issue of the language barrier in taxi services has long been a topic of discussion among passengers. According to a survey by Startitup:
67% of passengers surveyed had encountered a situation where they couldn’t communicate with the driver;
44% noted that this led to specific problems during the ride (difficulties changing the route, searching for forgotten items, etc.);
46% had experienced a situation where the driver canceled the ride because the parties were unable to reach each other by phone and agree on the exact pickup location;
82% of respondents viewed the option to choose a Slovak-speaking driver positively.
Although the Bolt app already includes an automatic translation feature in the chat, company representatives emphasize that the new categories were created to ensure high-quality “live” communication directly during the ride.
