Amazon and Amazon Flex have always been by the side of their gig workers, are they not? Well, apart from the sensational, star-studded wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez this week, Amazon has revealed it is ending an experiment that saw drivers in Kia Souls make same-day deliveries. Instead, the platform will rely on its network of gig workers within the gig economy.
Before you even make a mistake, the Kia Soul is a compact crossover SUV that’s perfect to be used for Amazon deliveries due to its unique, boxy design, offering a versatile and spacious interior.
The Kia Soul has been a popular preference for those seeking a stylish vehicle, at the same time, practical for city driving. The Soul offers the perfect balance of space, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
“After more than a year of gathering feedback from customers, [Delivery Service Partners or DSPs], and teams at Same-Day Delivery facilities, we’ve determined that the DSP model isn’t currently the right fit for Same-Day Delivery and we’ll be moving away from it,” Amazon’s spokesperson Steve Kelly emailed the Ridesharing Forum team. “We appreciate the contributions from participating DSPs and their teams, and we’ll provide support throughout this transition.”
Thanks to the test, which began in 2023 and involved Amazon contracting delivery firms in various states to deploy drivers for up to five-hour shifts aboard tiny Kia Corp. hatchbacks, Amazon has tighter control over deliveries.
The second part of the test states that if deployed massively, it would reduce the Amazon team’s reliance on Amazon Flex drivers, who use their own cars to ferry and deliver orders to Amazon customers’ homes.
In a groundbreaking move, gig workers will now pick up along the affected routes.
Owners of the participating DSPs were notified recently that the speedy delivery program will be toning down in the next few months.
Kelly further noted that the affected DSPs may operate other Amazon routes. Moreover, the company will help the displaced drivers get jobs from different companies. If they are using vehicles under the program, then they shall be returned to the vendor.
This concept has already been tested in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, and Washington, which are some of Amazon’s key global markets.
The Ridesharing Forum team looked at what netizens were saying. On Facebook, the news’s comments section is deafeningly empty. However, over on X, formerly Twitter, there are lots of engagements about the story, but the replies remain empty as well.