Uber Launches Delivery Services Uber Connect and Uber Direct

In the wake of the decrease in demand for its ride hailing services due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Uber is launching a pair of delivery services called the Uber Connect and Uber Direct.

The pair of new services will be focused on moving items rather than people. The Uber Direct will offer deliveries from shops like pharmacies and pet stores, while Uber Connect is a same-day courier service to let Uber users send items to one another.

Uber also says it will offer deliveries of over-the-counter medication from Cabinet stores in New York, while in Portugal, it’s working with the national postal service, CTT, to deliver parcels. In Australia, it’s working with The Green Cross to deliver pet supplies, and it’s also delivering medication in South Africa. Uber says all deliveries will be contact-free to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Currently, the Uber Connect is available in more than 25 cities across Australia, Mexico, and the US. Uber says the service will offer same-day deliveries, and it will also happen without any contact.

Uber’s traditional ride-hailing service has been dealt severe blows by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand in some cities has dropped as much as 70 percent as people obey the stay-at-home guidelines and stop traveling.

In a bid to help its drivers to find work in other areas of its business, Uber is launching new services to put its fleet of drivers to work.

Uber in the past has experimented with courier service, like the UberRush which delivers clothing Nordstrom but the service never took off.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said,“Throughout this crisis, we’ve been looking for new ways our platform can help move essential goods for businesses and consumers, while providing new earning opportunities for drivers.

 “Our primary focus is the immediate: quickly adapting our technology to meet the evolving needs of communities and companies.”