Society’s appreciation for delivery drivers is starting to wane as the pandemic has officially come to an end, according to a national news outlet.
Delivery drivers who were once celebrated for their hard work during the pandemic are now struggling to make ends meet as tips dwindle, according to a report by The New York Times.
Many drivers for popular food delivery services such as UberEats and DoorDash have been hit hard by the decrease in tips and are finding it increasingly difficult to turn a profit.
Last summer, drivers began targeting high-cost orders in hopes of higher tips after DoorDash eliminated its fuel surcharge. However, even with this strategy, many drivers still struggle to make a living wage. In some cases, drivers have taken matters into their own hands, refusing to hand over food if the tip is too low or even eating the food they were supposed to deliver.
For many delivery drivers, the hunt for a livable wage on tips feels like gambling. Brantley Bush, a 56-year-old UberEats driver from California, told The New York Times, "It's like gambling. You don't know what you're going to get, or if you're going to get anything at all."
As the pandemic subsides and more people return to their normal routines, it remains to be seen whether tips for delivery drivers will improve or if the struggle will continue.
“People were almost applauded,” he said of his experience of delivering during the pandemic. “Now we’re just the bottom of the barrel.”
Despite their efforts, drivers are still struggling to get by in the increasingly hostile gig economy.
According to The New York Times, Uber and DoorDash drivers are paid about $3.50 per order plus $1 per mile they have to drive. Experienced drivers are trying to secure livable tips by only taking orders from high end restaurants — an approach used by numerous drivers.
That approach isn’t one that DoorDash believes will equate to more money. A spokesperson for the delivery company told The New York Times that accepting more orders leads to better pay than accepting only high-cost ones.
"The data show that when Dashers accept more orders, they generally earn more during the course of their dash," Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, a spokeswoman for DoorDash, said in a statement to the news outlet.