[Explanation] On September 8, an article focusing on the living conditions of takeaway riders was swiped in Moments.
The article reflects a large number of conflicts between the algorithm system of the takeaway platform and the actual work of the riders, which directly led to a sharp increase in the number of traffic accidents encountered by the takeaway riders, making the takeaway rider one of the most dangerous professions, causing widespread concern in the society.
On September 9th, Ele.me announced that it would release a new feature: adding a small button "I'm willing to wait 5 minutes/10 minutes more" during payment settlement.
Meituan followed closely and issued a statement on the same day stating that it would give riders 8 minutes of flexibility.
As soon as the news came out, the Internet also triggered further discussions on takeaway riders.
At noon on September 10, the reporter conducted a random interview in a business district in Minhang District, Shanghai. The food delivery riders interviewed expressed their support for the newly added function of the delivery platform on "flexible" time. Said this move is more humane.
[Concurrent] Reporter
What do you think of this feature?
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
Very good, because we have given us more time.
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
That must be much better, without even thinking about it.
Some customers understand you, because it will definitely be (slow) on rainy days, but there are also some who don’t understand.
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
The longer the time, the better. Some orders are 30 minutes. They (restaurants) have to prepare dishes, make them, stir fry, and pack them. Doesn’t it take time?
[Explanation] Regarding the issue of "order timeout", some customers expressed their understanding in interviews, but some customers insisted on "principle" or worried that if they clicked the button to agree to wait, the takeaway rider would send another order or wait again. A situation where things like grabbing an order are counterproductive.
In this regard, some takeaway riders told reporters that it is impractical to grab orders, and it is even less cost-effective for them to overtime in order to grab one more order.
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
No, the time is too late, there is no time to grab this order.
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
We are for more orders not to time out, not to grab more orders, because a timeout is a waste of time, (so) will not (re) grab orders in the extra 5 minutes or 10 minutes.
[Explanation] During the interview, some takeaway riders complained to customers that the waiting time should not be passed on to customers to "pay the bill."
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
Money is earned by the platform, time is also controlled by the platform, and customers spend money to enjoy it.
According to the most basic principle, we don’t talk about anything else or moral kidnapping.
As a consumer, I spent money. I definitely hope you will (deliver) in the shortest possible time, even if it is delivered in 5 minutes, I will be happier, right, so this time should be given by the platform.
[Concurrent] Reporter
Now your time is calculated by the platform for you, the time of each order?
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
Yeah.
[Concurrent] Reporter
How does it (platform) calculate this time?
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
Half an hour, it seems like half an hour within a few kilometers, more than 5 minutes and 6 minutes plus you.
[Explanation] The takeaway rider said that as the number of takeaway platforms, especially the number of takeaway riders, has increased sharply, the competition between each other has become increasingly fierce, and the delivery time for each order has been reduced step by step.
He sighed to reporters that today's food delivery work is really under pressure.
[Concurrent] Takeaway rider
In the past, there were few people doing it, in order to attract people (to do it), besides, there were few platforms before, and there were not so many platforms. Later, when the platform came out, it had to reduce (food delivery time) and it had to be reduced, (so) the rider pressure was great Ah now.
[Explanation] The relevant person in charge of Ele.me said that they hope to give users the right to choose, because the platform has no way to judge whether users are in a hurry.
At the same time, the person in charge also revealed that the user's increased time is insensible on the rider's side, which means that the rider can't see whether the order has increased in time, only the delivery time of the order.
Reporter Xu Yin Kang Yuzhan reports from Shanghai
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]