Earn on your own schedule

Connect and parcel deliveries pilots

27January,2021 / Brisbane

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Our Connect and parcel delivery products have been piloting in select Australian and New Zealand cities. We launched these pilots as people were limiting their movements due to COVID-19 and we wanted to help them continue to get the items they need using the Uber Driver app and also to open up another option for driver- partners to earn during those evolving times. 
Changes coming from 1 March 2021
We have learnt a lot from these pilots and as a result we are making some changes to how the products operate in the future. Due to these changes if you are not already opted-in to the pilot version of these products you will no longer be able to do so and these pilots will end on 28 February 2021.
From 1 March, delivery people will have exclusive access to all delivery trips requested on the Uber platform (including non-food (parcel) deliveries), and driver-partners to rideshare trips. This means that driver-partners will only be able to accept rideshare trips and not parcel delivery requests.
Want to become a delivery person? 
You can switch to become a delivery person if you prefer that the Uber Driver app sends you delivery requests instead of rideshare trip requests. You can request this change by contacting the Uber Support via the Driver App. Just keep in mind that this may take up to 3 days during which you won’t be able to go online using the Uber app. You may also need to upload your documents again.
Thank you for being a part of our parcel delivery pilot and moving what mattered.
Find out more about how Connect will operate in 2021 here.
Find out more about how non-food (parcel) deliveries will operate from 1 March 2021 here.
Existing pilot products
See below for how the pilot products currently work and FAQs.
Uber Connect
With Uber Connect, you can help friends and family stay connected by letting them send things like flowers, household essentials, or care packages to each other.
How it works:
Accept an Uber Connect request: It’s similar to accepting a ride request. You’ll receive a “Connect” request in the Driver app, and you can choose to accept or decline it.
Meet the sender kerbside: After accepting an Uber Connect request, you may receive a message in the app from the sender with additional pick up and drop-off notes. The sender will meet you kerbside to safely load the package into the boot of your vehicle and help minimise contact. Delivery packages should weigh less than 20 kg, and should fit comfortably in the boot of a mid-size vehicle. 
Deliver the package: Bring the package to the recipient at the drop off location. If you are unable to connect with the recipient, try to contact the sender to resolve the issue before ending the trip. 
Earn for every delivery: Fares for Uber Connect are calculated to compensate you for the extra time and effort it takes to pick up an item. You can see a breakdown of your earnings in the Uber app. 
You’re in control: If you prefer not to do package delivery, you can turn Connect off in the Preferences section of the Driver app. You can always turn it on again later.
Parcel deliveries from businesses
You’re also able to help businesses move items from A to B. 
How it works:
Receiving requests Just like with UberX, you will receive requests for parcel deliveries in your Driver app. You’ll see that it’s a parcel delivery request on the request screen.
Arriving at the pickup location Your Driver app will navigate you to the pickup location. You’ll be able to see detailed instructions for where to pick up the items in your Driver app. 
Picking up the items Look for items labeled with the information shown in the pickup notes of your Driver app, and bring them to your vehicle. If you’re having trouble finding the pickup location or items, you can contact the sender in the Driver app. Keep in mind you may be asked to leave your car to go collect the items. 
Navigating to the drop-off After you securely place the items in your vehicle, start the trip and follow the navigation as usual.
Dropping off the items Leave the items at the door when you arrive at the drop-off location, and take a photo of them in a safe place.
Ending the trip End the trip just as you would with UberX.
No-contact pickups and drop-offs
Pickups and drop-offs are designed to be contactless to help with social distancing. High volume pickup locations may have a parking and queuing area. And, you can leave the item(s) at the door for drop-off.
Answering your questions about parcel deliveries from businesses:
What’s the difference between delivering parcels from businesses and Uber Connect?Down Small
With Uber Connect, you’ll be helping individual riders send parcels to other individuals, like family or friends. You’ll see that it’s a “Connect” request on the request screen of your Driver app. When picking up parcels on an Uber Connect trip, the sender will meet you kerbside to safely load the package into the boot of your vehicle and help minimise contact. 
You’ll also be able to pick up parcels from businesses to send to customers or other businesses. You’ll see that it’s a “Parcel” request on the request screen of your Driver app. When picking up parcels from a business, the sender may ask you to leave your car to locate the item(s) and transport them back to your car.

Where do I pick up the item(s)?Down Small
The sender will provide detailed instructions for where to pick up the item(s), which you’ll be able to see in your Driver app. 
High volume locations may have a parking and queuing area to make the pickup seamless, and to help with social distancing. 
You’ll also be able to call the sender if you are having trouble via the app. 

Picking up an item – what do I need to do?Down Small
To make things easier for you, we’re suggesting that senders label each item with details like an order number, the number of bags/boxes to be picked up and anything else needed to ensure a smooth drop-off. You’ll be able to see this information in your Driver app’s pickup notes.  If you are having trouble, you can call the sender via the Driver app. 
The sender may ask you to locate the item(s) and transport them to your car - so you should be prepared to leave your car if you want to accept a parcel delivery trip. 

What items are allowed on a parcel delivery?Down Small
We anticipate that requests will vary and could include retailers sending household items to customers, or businesses sending their employees essential work equipment.
Senders will not be able to transport these items. 
It is the sender’s responsibility to make sure the above items are not being transported.
If you are uncomfortable transporting an item, you can cancel without it affecting your cancellation rate or Pro status. Select “I had a safety concern” as the reason for cancellation. 
Will items already be packaged?Down Small
To make things easier for you, we’re suggesting that senders package and label each item with details like an order number, the number of bags/boxes to be picked up and anything else needed to ensure a smooth drop-off. 

Dropping off an item – what do I need to do?Down Small
To help limit the amount of interactions you have with other people, you can leave the item(s) at the door when completing the drop-off. Take a photo to confirm (ensuring there are no people in the photo), and keep a record of it for 60 days just in case the requester contacts Uber about the item.
If you are dropping off items at an apartment building, you can leave them in a safe place at or inside the building entrance. You do not need to carry anything up stairs, although some recipients may be grateful if you can. 
The sender will be responsible for contacting the recipient to let them know that their item(s) have arrived. 

What if I can’t find the drop-off location, or have issues parking?Down Small
You can contact the sender in your Driver app if you are having trouble with the drop-off instructions. If you can’t get in touch with the sender, please return the items to the pickup location. 
You may be paid a fee to compensate you for your time and effort if you have to return an item because you are unable to locate the drop-off address. You will need to contact support in this instance to explain what happened.
What if an item is damaged on a trip?Down Small
The sender and recipient are depending on you to safely transport their items. You should take reasonable precautions to avoid damage to or loss of any items you are delivering. The sender is responsible for any mess or damage to your vehicle that is caused by inadequate packaging. Please contact Uber to report this type of issue.

What if items are missing at pickup or drop-off?Down Small
When picking up items, check to see that you have all the bags or boxes in the order. Items should be sealed in a bag or box and it’s important that you do not open these packages. 
If an item is missing from the sealed bags or boxes and you have taken reasonable care, you are not responsible. This is the sender’s responsibility.

Are there weight and quantity limits?Down Small
Each parcel trip should have a maximum of 8 items. The maximum weight for each item is 20 kg.
If you have difficulty lifting an item, you are able to cancel when you get to the pickup location without it affecting your cancellation rate or Pro status. Select “I had a safety concern” as the reason for cancellation.

How can I protect myself from COVID-19 during a parcel delivery?Down Small
Pickups and drop-offs are designed to be contactless to help with social distancing. High volume pickup locations may have a parking and queuing area. And, you can leave the item(s) at the door for drop-off. 
SafeWork Australia has put together these guidelines to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while completing deliveries, including: Regularly cleaning and disinfecting your vehicle (ex: steering wheel, door handles, buttons and keys).
Practicing good hygiene. 
Maintaining 1.5m distance to others. 
Staying at home and not working if you are sick. 

Am I insured during parcel deliveries?Down Small
You should check with your insurer prior to accepting any parcel delivery requests to ensure you are properly insured (for example, that accepting parcel delivery requests does not count as a change of use for your vehicle). 
Uber’s Partner Support (injury) Insurance remains valid for parcel trips. For more details, visit the Insurance Hub in the Account section of your Driver app.

How do I stop receiving parcel delivery requests?Down Small
You can choose to turn off parcel requests at any time by going to the Preferences section of your Driver app:

Go to Trip Planner
Tap the icon in the bottom right corner to get to Preferences
Tap on “Parcel”
Select OFF and then SAVE

Is this a permanent product?Down Small
We’re launching the parcel delivery product as a pilot in response to COVID-19. We’re always working on new ways to help cities move. If there is a need for parcel deliveries in the future and driver partners want to continue providing the delivery service, we will look to officially launch the product then. 

What if a parcel seems suspicious?Down Small
If you ever feel unsafe during a delivery, contact emergency services via the Safety Toolkit in your Driver app, or by calling 000 (Australia) or 111 (New Zealand). If you are delivering a parcel and believe it contains a prohibited item, take a photograph of the parcel and contact Uber Support. If you believe it contains an illegal item, please report the incident to the police. Please do not open the parcel.