WHAT IT COSTS
Rent runs whether you ride or not
Scooter rent is a flat weekly charge, paid in advance, whether the week is good or bad. Fuel and a one-off startup kit (thermal bag, powerbank) are the other real costs. None of it shows up in the app's own numbers — Bolt reports gross fees, not what actually left the rider's pocket.
Cumulative earned, cumulative spent, and net position, 04 September to 21 October. Day by day to 04.10; after that one point per week (11.10, 18.10) and the period end on 21.10. From 21.09 costs are known only as totals on certain days, so the spent and net lines run straight between those points; kit, band fees and other costs after 04.10 are booked on 21.10.
Running costs
Per delivery
One-off
Week by week
| Week | Drops | Take-home | Rent + fuel | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07–13.09 | 83 | 1'304.17 | 413.92 | 890.25 |
| 14–20.09 | 83 | 1'312.13 | 410.62 | 901.51 |
| 21–27.09 | 73 | 1'143.15 | 359.72 | 783.43 |
| 28.09–04.10 | 104 | 1'659.28 | 390.94 | 1'268.34 |
| 05–11.10 | 95 | 1'546.30 | 388.24 | 1'158.06 |
| 12–18.10 | 92 | 1'510.75 | 367.54 | 1'143.21 |
| 19–21.10 (3 days) | 41 | 706.89 | 332.56 | 374.33 |
Take-home = fees and tips after the fleet’s 10% commission. Net = take-home minus rent and fuel for that week. The last week is three days in, with the full week’s rent already paid.
The kit was bought in a hurry, from wherever was open. Bolt's own shop sells the same thermal bag for 70 RON with free delivery — this rider paid 150. The powerbank was about the same price either way (~109 in the shop vs 109.99 paid, no real saving there). Total: 179 RON through Bolt's own shop instead of 259.99 — about 31% less, and it's entirely the bag driving that gap. Worth checking Bolt's own store before buying either item elsewhere on day one.