Food delivery apps levy ‘bad weather charge’

Food delivery apps levy ‘bad weather charge’

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

29.07.2020

The rain in the city over the past month has led to food delivery rates rising, with online food aggregators collecting, alongside regular delivery and distance charges, ‘bad weather’ fees from users.

For instance, a customer ordering food for Rs 400 from a restaurant 5km from his/ her residence has to pay close to Rs 50 in such ‘fee’ that increases based on distance and weather conditions as well as traffic conditions and seasonal demand..

“I don’t remember paying any additional fee during rain in the past. On Tuesday, I was charged Rs 20 extra,” said Madipakkam resident R Veera, who uses Swiggy for ordering food.

Sources in Swiggy said bad weather fee had always been collected from users across the country and that surge pricings can be avoided on attaining ‘super customer’ status that customers can buy for a minimum of Rs Rs 149 for a month. The scheme, temporarily withdrawn a few months ago because of the lockdown, was revived recently, sources said.

Zomato, which too collects distance fee, was unavailable for comment.

Food aggregators claim additional fee collected is transferred to delivery executives’ accounts to compensate for travelling in tough conditions.

Delivery executives admit getting this incentive but say it is delayed at times. “However, more customers tip us than usual. They understand the risk associated with our work and give 10- 20 extra and sometimes even more,” said Dinesh, a delivery man from Velachery. This comes in handy while refilling vehicles’ fuel tanks as petrol price increased more than Rs 10 in two months.

Meanwhile, layoffs continue with 350 employees being sacked this week. Earlier, Swiggy, Zomato and other firms together let go off nearly 1,500 employees. Firms claim the industry has recovered only by 50% and this was the final round of restructuring but employees’ salaries have been restored.

ALWAYS ON CALL: A food delivery agent braves heavy rain in the city on Tuesday to ferry a parcel

AGGREGATORS SAID EXTRA CHARGES ARE ALWAYS CREDITED TO THE DELIVERY EXECUTIVE’S ACCOUNT