The on-going COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the incomes of private-hire and taxi drivers, with few noting that their income had decreased by over 70% in recent months. In a bid to support its drivers during this tough time, Gojek Singapore, the on-demand ride-hailing transportation service company, has reportedly announced a partnership with an online food delivery company Deliveroo to provide food delivery in Singapore.

Sources cite that Gojek will allow its drivers to deliver food in areas near central Singapore regions like Geylang, Toa Payoh, and Bukit Merah. This announcement comes after Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, declared in March that private-hire and taxi-drivers would be allowed to offer food and grocery delivery in Singapore as there is a spike in demand for online delivery services and decrease in demand for ride-hailing services.

As per Gojek’s media release, the company can efficiently cater to surged demand for online food delivery during this challenging time by aiding Deliveroo’s supply of delivery riders. In addition to Gojek, taxi operators such as SMRT and ComfortDelGro have both previously announced partnerships to offer food deliveries with ComfortDelGro also introducing its own food delivery company named ComfortDelivery.

Meanwhile, GrabFood, a subsidiary of Grab Holding Inc. has been conducting a delivery trial with the LTA (Land Transport Authority) to allow its drivers to offer on-demand food and parcel services since last September. Previously, Gojek also revealed its plans to introduce a food delivery service in Singapore but did not disclose the timeline for the same.

Gojek also collaborating with education financing firm, Advo and food & beverage company, Ebb & Flow to offer over 2,000 meals to financially needy and vulnerable single-parent families in Singapore. The company also distributed over S$30,000 in grocery vouchers to its Singapore-based drivers through its Gojek Partner Support Fund which was founded in March.

Source credit - https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/gojek-partners-deliveroo-provide-food-delivery-covid19-12745492