Ride-sharing Concept Comes to Small Package Shipping

If it works for people, then why not for packages?  In a new twist on ride-sharing, sending packages around Southern Ontario just became a lot more personal with the introduction of RoadWages, an online shipping portal that connects customers directly with available drivers. 

This somewhat novel approach attempts to eliminate the middleman process of shipping and claims it “allows senders to stay in closer contact with their parcels from pick-up to end destination, and save money in the process.”

Drivers can create individualized routes wherever their willing to travel. As a result, RoadWages expects the range of service areas to increase “exponentially” over the coming year. Customers’ prepaid shipments, whether individually or with the option to open a corporate billed account, are protected by RoadWages until completion of delivery.

The website’s founder Stuart Englander explains, “RoadWages’ mission is to bring a more ‘human to human’ approach to small package delivery. When a customer books a shipment online, they are contacted directly by the driver who will perform their delivery. Shippers are able to stay in touch with their parcels from pick up to destination. ”

With this system, if there is ever any concern regarding a specific shipment, a customer need only contact the driver rather than waiting on endless hold at a dispatch service office.

A potential added benefit to eliminating the dispatch structure is cost savings to shippers. Drivers may be provided with opportunities for greater earnings by choosing their own routes, and retaining the entire shipment price.

In contrast, with conventional broker based delivery services, drivers generally must accept giving up 30% to 40%, or more of their commissions to the dispatch company. “We want to empower individuals to take control of their own earning potential,” says Englander. “When drivers keep more of the delivery charge, customers realize real cost savings on individual shipments.” He believes that drivers that conduct themselves more like small business owners will ultimately be more engaged in providing better service.

Tags: RoadWages

Category: Driver Stuff, Featured