Need groceries delivered? This ride-hailing app can help

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Contxto –  No doubt grocery delivery startups are experiencing a surge in requests as a result of coronavirus (Covid-19). Previously these apps boasted about getting your groceries delivered to a person’s door within two hours (tops), now, they’re saturated with work and now some users must wait much longer. 

Given this situation, and the overall fall in demand for transportation services, Mexican ride-hailing startup Pronto is shifting gears. Last Monday (30) the startup announced it’s now offering delivery services through Pronto Envíos.

So now if you need something picked up from your grocer, pharmacy or convenience store, this is one more option joining the last-mile cohort. Just download the app, to connect with its drivers/deliverers.

Ride-hailing in pandemic times

The most well-known ride-hailing platforms such as Cabify, Didi, and Uber are also deploying plans to mitigate the impact of Covid-19. For example, UberPool in Mexico has been suspended. And they’ve also launched funds to help their drivers cope.

Likewise, their food delivery arms are experiencing a rise in orders.

For a quick recap (in Spanish) on how Uber and Didi in Mexico are coping with the disease, check out this video:

Although in Pronto‘s case, if a mandated quarantine were imposed, it’s a coin toss as to how the government would regulate these ride-hailing platforms turned last-mile deliverers.

Pronto’s helping little locales

The likes of Didi and Uber can easily be found in major cities across Mexico. However, that’s not the case for the country’s smaller locations and towns. In that sense, Pronto is tendering to these often sidelined populations and can be found in 22 sites throughout Mexico. 

There are also expansion plans in the works.

“We want to tender to the major part of these small and medium-sized cities, after which we’ll enter big cities,” explained Rodrigo Pérez, Head of Government Affairs at Pronto.

“[And] in 2020 we’ll be kicking off our expansion plans not only within Mexico but also the central and southern regions of the Americas.” 

Moreover, as we’ve previously discussed, its drivers keep the entire fare for the trips (and deliveries) they carry out. 

Pronto, under normal conditions, makes a profit by leasing its platform to its approved drivers. In exchange for paying a monthly subscription for MXN$999 (about US$42), drivers keep 100 percent of the profits.

Although because of Covid-19, its payment scheme was slightly changed. Last Friday (27) the startup announced that it would be subsidizing a part of its subscription fee. Consequently, its drivers would pay the startup based on the number of trips they carry out.

Related articles: Tech and startups from Mexico!

-ML