Uber rolls out pandemic parcel delivery

Uber is trialing a new parcel delivery service in five major Australian metropolitan regions.

Available in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth, the company says its new Uber Connect service is a new product "to keep friends and family connected during our time of physical distancing", and that "this contactless delivery offering means you can still share special moments with those who matter most to you".

Uber says the service provides same-day contactless delivery at an affordable price.

Where available, a user simply selects 'Uber Connect' through the Uber app to call an Uber driver to collect their parcel, before sharing the trip with up to five other people who can then track progress before delivery.

Uber states that the value of each Uber Connect trip must not exceed $100 and that the parcel itself must be under 20kg and should fit comfortably inside the boot of a mid-size car.

"During this challenging time for Aussies we wanted to create an affordable way for people to create magic moments or send essential items to each other," said Dom Taylor, General Manager of Uber Australia.

"We know Aussies want to help each other out and have seen a tremendous sense of community rise up in the recent weeks. While we're urging people to stay home and not to travel, there’s no need to not feel connected."

While the trial – which is taking place across selected cities in Australia, the US and Mexico – is being promoted as a means for people to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also serves to keep Uber drivers earning. And if the service is met with widespread acceptance, it could well spell some interesting ramifications for the already ultra-competitive courier and parcel-delivery sector.

Viewed alongside Uber Freight, which has been operating in the US since 2017, and Uber Eats, it seems the ride-sharing heavyweight is taking an increasing interest in expanding its innovative platform well beyond purely human cargo…