Meanwhile, Treepz has moved over five million passengers across multiple African markets and gone on to offer flight bookings to 210+ global destinations through its integrated travel platform. 

Those figures reveal scale, but let’s take a closer look at how these two Nigerian‑born mobility brands compare on strategy, product, impact, technology and future potential.

1. Origins and Strategic Intent

Shuttlers was built to solve daily commuting problems in mega‑cities like Lagos and Abuja. Its core was a reliable, scheduled, app‑based bus service for commuters and corporate staff. 

Over time, it has stayed true to that mission, focusing on efficiency, safety and sustainability in urban mobility.

Treepz started with a similar aim, solving everyday transport pain points, but it expanded quickly into a wider platform. 

From corporate employee transport to rentals, cross‑border trips and now flight bookings, Treepz has been deliberately evolving into a full travel ecosystem rather than just a shuttle service.

The key difference is in breadth. Shuttlers remains specialised and focused; Treepz has become wide‑ranging in ambition.

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2. Core Product Areas

Shuttlers

• Daily commuter services on fixed routes
• Corporate partnerships for scheduled staff transport
• Vehicle rentals
• Focus on safety and reliability
• Increasing fleet electrification and alternative fuels (EV, CNG)

Shuttlers has intentionally kept its product tight to ensure reliability and operational excellence. Its daily timetable model has made it predictable and trusted for regular commuters. 

Treepz

• Employee transport services
• Vehicle rentals (corporate and personal)
• Long‑distance shuttles
• Cross‑border travel
• Flight booking to 210+ destinations
• Event and group travel packages

Treepz’s product set now bridges ground mobility and full travel services, with flights expanding its reach far beyond the daily commute. 

This makes Treepz a one‑stop travel platform, but it also adds complexity in execution and customer experience.

3. Market Reach and Scale

Shuttlers is very strong in Nigeria’s primary urban corridors. Its daily commuter base is large and consistent, which gives it a solid foundation.

Treepz operates in multiple African countries and continues expanding. River‑to‑ocean routes, cross‑border trips and corporate deployments across regions show a geographical and functional breadth that Shuttlers does not yet match.

Treepz’s expansion into global flight bookings is a commendable differentiator. It reveals a strategic focus from mobility to more needed travel services.

4. Business Models and Revenue Streams

Shuttlers

Revenue is primarily generated from:

• Daily commuter fares (individual and corporate)
• Corporate contracts (steady B2B income)
• Optimised route utilisation

Shuttlers’ model is usage‑based but anchored to daily commuting patterns, giving it dependable demand.

Treepz

Revenue sources include:

• Corporate transport services
• On‑demand rentals
• Long‑distance shuttles
• Flight bookings and related travel services

The diversity helps Treepz capture multiple customer segments, from everyday commuters to business travellers.

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5. Sustainability and Impact

Both companies have built themselves as part of the solution to urban congestion and pollution.

Shuttlers emphasises its environmental value through:

• Expansion of CNG buses
• Introduction of electric vehicles
• Reported carbon mitigation and cost savings in operations

In 2025 alone, Shuttlers estimated saving over 170,000 kg of CO₂ emissions while cutting operating expenses by more than half through alternative energy vehicles. 

Treepz, through shared rides and rentals, has also contributed to reduced carbon emissions historically and enhanced access to safer transport. Its footprint in multiple countries shows an ability to influence transport habits at scale.

6. Safety, Reliability and Customer Experience

Shuttlers reports a safety rate of 99.94% accident‑free across its operations, a solid claim in urban mobility where risk is a daily concern. 

Treepz’s focus has been on platform reliability across different modes of transport. It has built a large marketplace of vetted vehicles and drivers, giving corporate clients confidence in delivery at scale.

Customer experience differs by intent:

• Shuttlers is about predictable, scheduled rides.
• Treepz provides choice and flexibility, which can be a strength or a complexity depending on the user.

7. Positioning in a Competitive Sector

Shuttlers is unique for consistency and specialisation. Its core value is in being a dependable workhorse for daily mobility.

Treepz stands out for product breadth and growth vision. Not many African mobility companies have confidently moved into full technology‑driven travel services that include flights.

In the urban transport sector, where ride‑hailing giants and informal transit compete, Shuttlers’ focused model gives clarity, while Treepz’s broad platform creates options.

8. Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

Shuttlers

Opportunities

• Deeper fleet electrification
• Expansion beyond current cities
• Stronger corporate contracting

Challenges

• Keeping up service reliability at scale
• Managing cost stress in fuel and operations

Treepz

Opportunities

• Growing travel services
• Cross‑border mobility solutions
• Partnerships with airlines and corporations

Challenges

• Platform complexity
• Customer experience across services
• Maintaining quality control with diverse offerings

9. What Next? A Strategic Summary

Shuttlers is strong in focus, it is a service that commuters and corporate partners can point to confidently. It has built strong strength where many others have tried and failed.

Treepz is strong in scope, its platform aims far beyond the city to the continent and the globe. That breadth gives it high potential, but also requires tight execution.

We’ve watched both brands grow over the last few years. Shuttlers has enhanced and worked tirelessly on what it does until it gets dependable. Treepz continually stretches into new territories, boosting how mobility and travel can connect in a single ecosystem.

Both Shuttlers and Treepz are bolstering how people move, both in Nigeria and across Africa. And the competition between focus and breadth will surely determine the scale of shared mobility on the continent.

According to a new nationwide study by Ipsos, commissioned by Bolt Nigeria, eight out of ten Nigerians believe ride-hailing is safer than traditional transport.

This captures both the progress of technology, and the gaps in public safety that technology has been able to fill.

The Ride-Hailing Safety Perception Report, presented at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, revealed that 96% of passengers said they use ride-hailing because it feels safer, while 95% said it is their first choice for late-night trips. 

Based on surveys conducted across major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, the report revealed how safety perceptions influence transport choices. Women made up most of the users, and nearly half use the apps several times a week.

Osi Oguah, Bolt Nigeria’s general manager, noted the fine line between innovation and public trust.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do at Bolt. This research gives us valuable insight into how Nigerians experience and perceive safety when using ride-hailing. We’ll continue to invest in technology, partnerships, and awareness to ensure every ride on Bolt is not only affordable and reliable but also safe,” he said.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Director of Transport Operations, commended the study for both its reassurance and challenge revealed. 

His goodwill message urged ride-hailing operators to collaborate more on data and transparency.

“The decision by Bolt to commission an independent safety perception study is commendable and forward-thinking,” he said. “It demonstrates a genuine commitment to listening to users, understanding their concerns, and continuously improving the ride-hailing experience. This reflects the spirit of partnership that drives our collective progress in the transport sector.”

The need for data sharing was expatiated as a recognition that safety is not limited to apps, but includes visibility, regulation, and accountability. 

Lagos, he said, is already building a more connected transport data system, designed to link operator platforms with government infrastructure.

Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s head of Regulatory and Policy, also commented on the findings:

“It’s a landmark study that gives voice to what millions of Nigerians already know. Ride-hailing is changing how people move and it’s making travel safer. At Bolt, safety is not just a feature, it’s a philosophy,” she said. 

This drew attention to interesting data that revealed 97% of riders say safety tools such as GPS tracking, trip sharing, and driver verification make them feel safer.

The Ipsos presentation, led by Stephanie Kanyiri, added more context. The 250-respondent survey showed that two-thirds of Nigerians believe ride-hailing helps reduce drunk driving, as many use apps to get home after social outings. 94% have booked rides for friends or family late at night, a subtle sign of how ride-hailing has become a form of community safety.

“The findings reflect an encouraging trend, Nigerians increasingly see ride-hailing as a trusted and secure mobility option. Safety features that enhance visibility, accountability, and control are major drivers of confidence among passengers, especially in urban centres.”

However, Kanyiri pointed out an awareness gap that could not be ignored. Some riders know the safety features exist but rarely use them. Others misunderstand what “safety” means, linking it to only one function, which is driver ratings or trip sharing, instead of the full ecosystem of in-app tools. 

“Different people attribute safety to different features,” she explained, calling for continuous public education.

While ride-hailing companies celebrate public trust, that trust also reveals how Nigerians distrust the alternatives. However, the report isn’t cynical but corrective. It suggests that when safety is designed, tracked, and verified, people notice. And they reward it with loyalty.

Trust must evolve into structure. That means better data-sharing, wider awareness of safety tools, and more unified regulation, not to limit innovation, but to protect it.

The Ride-Hailing Safety Perception Report provides valuable insights that will guide Bolt’s future investments in safety education, technology innovation, and public awareness initiatives. 

Bolt reiterates that insights from the study will also inform upcoming campaigns to increase understanding and adoption of in-app safety features.

The forum brought together passengers, drivers, regulators, media, lifestyle influencers, and Bolt staff to confront the realities of urban mobility in Nigeria. 

Riders gave an account of everyday frustrations, including fare disputes, air-conditioning etiquette, offline payment pressure, while drivers explained the daily challenges of navigating Lagos roads under high demand.

Engr Adebayo Olusoji, director of Public Transport Commuter Services, delivered a keynote stressing collaboration, continuous education, and policy enforcement as cornerstones for a safer urban mobility space. 

The discussion then shifted to pressing passenger concerns: verification processes, data privacy, and accountability in Economy (Basic) trips. Many riders spoke about their fears when it comes to app data misuse, including drivers taking screenshots of personal information. Their message reiterated the fact that privacy and safety cannot be separated.

Bolt responded by highlighting its suite of safety tools. Trip sharing, in-trip audio recording, driver and rider verification, emergency assist buttons, in-trip insurance, and 24/7 customer support were all presented as mechanisms designed to restore trust and prevent incidents. 

The event also included a role-play session simulating typical rider-driver interactions, ensuring candid conversations about mutual respect, communication, and empathy.

Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s head of Regulatory and Policy, summed up the ethos of the day: “This isn’t just about enforcing platform rules, it’s about putting people at the centre of the safety conversation. Our mission is to co-create solutions that reflect the real experiences of riders and drivers. Today’s forum shows that when we listen, learn, and act together, we can build a more respectful and secure ride-hailing experience for all.”

Bolt plans a nationwide engagement strategy to further embed community-led safety practices. This approach reflects Nigeria’s growing expectations for safer, smarter urban transport, a market projected to reach $477.10 million by the end of 2025 with over 42 million users by 2030.

Recent metrics show Bolt’s efforts are translating into action. Offline trip rates have dropped 42% in three months. Trusted Contacts usage jumped from 7,839 in January to 31,216 in June. Pick-Up Codes, designed to prevent riders from entering the wrong vehicle, have been used by 5,568 riders in the first half of 2025.

These numbers indicate growing confidence in app-based safety tools and a shift in the ride-hailing culture.

The Bolt first Passenger Safety Meet & Greet stresses that safety is beyond policy, it’s a conversation. One the company is committed to leading in Nigeria.