Uber just unleashed its new pet project to select locations across America: UberRUSH.
UberRUSH is an on-demand delivery service that operates through various partnerships between local businesses and Uber.
The new Uber program comes on the heels of Amazon’s introduction of a similar delivery service called Amazon Flex. Both Amazon and Uber are competing within the “same-day delivery” market. However, while Amazon uses both drones and drivers to make deliveries, Uber is limited to only drivers. (RELATED: ‘Amazon Flex’ Aims To Enlist The Gig Economy With Uber-For-Packages Concept.)
explained the primary reason for UberRUSH is efficiency. “Think about all the times you hop in the car to pick up groceries, house supplies, or Sunday night takeout,” he wrote in a Oct. 14 blog post. “These little runs seem harmless but they add up. In fact, 20% of all trips in the US are just to move things from A to B* – and we’re wasting thousands of hours and gallons taking them. If every local business delivered, we’d all save time and energy.”
Uber is partnering with a number of companies, both local businesses and e-commerce organizations, to begin making deliveries. Shopify, Blockheads Burritos, ChowNow, and Indie Fresh are all signed on for the UberRUSH delivery service.
An Oct. 14 blog post for Shopify stated the company has “partnered with Uber to do what once seemed impossible—make affordable, reliable same-day delivery a reality for even the smallest business. With Shopify and UberRUSH, your customers can get their online orders in hours not days, making last minute online shopping convenient and impulse buying irresistible.”
UberRUSH seems to be providing more than just same-day delivery for customers, but also greater opportunities for growing businesses. (RELATED: Uber’s Enemies Turn Their Guns On Food Delivery Companies With New Legal Challenge)
“Couple our current success using ChowNow with UberRUSH delivery, and we’ll be able to greatly expand our customer reach and brand footprint throughout all of New York City,” said Dave Ethan, the part-owner of Grey Dog in New York.
As of now, UberRUSH cost businesses between $5 and $6 if the delivery is within one mile. Once the first mile marker has been crossed, it will cost $2.50 to $3 per extra mile. According to Business Insider, Uber pays its delivery drivers 75 percent to 80 percent of that fee. The businesses then must decide if they want to cover the cost of the deliveries out-of-pocket or add it to the order total the consumer pays.
UberRUSH begins its operations in Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco.
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