Amid rising gas prices driven by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S., DoorDash is introducing a temporary support program for its delivery drivers in the United States and Canada. Announced on Monday, this initiative is designed to alleviate the financial pressures faced by Dashers, who rely on their vehicles to complete deliveries.
The program, which will be active until April 26, allows eligible drivers who cover at least 125 miles each week to receive weekly compensation starting at $5. This could translate to estimated savings between $1 and $1.50 per gallon of gas. The additional support could be particularly beneficial for drivers in less urban areas where longer travel distances are common.
Drivers using DoorDash’s Crimson debit card will also receive an extra 10% cash back on their fuel purchases, which could result in total savings of up to $1.90 per gallon. With gasoline being a major expense for delivery workers—who must independently manage their own costs such as fuel and vehicle maintenance—a survey from Human Rights Watch revealed that Texas gig workers were spending around $100 weekly on fuel, which equated to $2.76 per hour worked at the time when gas was priced at approximately $3 per gallon.
Current statistics indicate that the situation has worsened, with the average nationwide price for regular gas nearing $3.96 per gallon, escalating over $1 in just a month—some regions even recording prices around $4 per gallon. As gas prices continue to soar, the expenses for drivers are increasing significantly without any corresponding rise in the pay rates offered by delivery platforms. Additionally, fluctuating demand for delivery services due to higher living costs further compounds the burden, making it challenging for drivers to maintain their profit margins per delivery. Consequently, many drivers find their gig work shifting from a source of flexible income to a financially precarious situation, leading some to reduce their working hours or exit the industry entirely.
DoorDash’s latest fuel relief initiative echoes a similar program initiated in 2022 in response to a surge in gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That year, Uber also introduced a fuel surcharge while Grubhub raised driver pay to counteract escalating fuel costs. It remains to be seen whether other delivery services will adopt comparable measures in the current environment.
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