While Uber has quickly become one of the easiest ways for us to get where we need to go, the company now wants to help get things to you. It just announced UberRUSH, an experimental bicycle delivery service that is launching first with limited availability in Manhattan.
Deliveries will start at a flat fee of $15, with additional charges based on zoning. Thankfully, UberRUSH doesn’t have surge pricing (yet). In addition to bikes, couriers will also use the subway to get around.
The service is primarily available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Unlike some competing services, couriers will not purchase the items you need for delivery.
Bloomberg gave the service a try and found the pricing higher than standard rates, but lower than rush deliveries. Uber’s New York GM Josh Mohrer told the publication that customers have already been using the car service to deliver goods, and the company felt it could do better than existing courier offerings.
If you’re interested in signing up as a courier, VentureBeat reports that Uber is paying messengers between $20-$30 an hour. According to Uber, you’ll need to go through a stringent background check, in-person interview and screening, and ongoing quality controls.
Uber rival Gett recently partnered with NYC delivery service WunWun to provide deliveries. Postmates also operates in the on-demand delivery space.
➤ UberRUSH
Image credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.