3 ways to grow and retain your driver network
A happy driver network is a reliable one
Events act as a catalyst for on-demand deliveries, which is why companies such as Uber and Stoovo integrate them into their algorithms and inform their delivery drivers with this critical information.
By integrating event data, Stoovo can notify gig economy workers when and where demand will surge in advance. This enables their driver network to review available jobs near them, choose which ones to accept based on estimated payout and proximity, and streamline last-mile delivery for gig workers who are seriously pressed for time.
Similarly, rideshare companies can make sure they’ve incentivized enough drivers to both be out on the road and heading directly to busy locations where events are ending, so drivers can spend more time driving and earning, and less time idling.
When drivers have a smooth experience each time they log in to your app, they’re going to choose your app over the competition, and recommend your platform to fellow drivers looking for work.
Beyond making sure drivers are getting more work by tapping into events, let’s explore three ways to use verified event data to keep your driver network happy, and incentivize them to make as many deliveries as possible.
3 ways to use events to keep drivers on your app
1. Empower drivers to better plan their daily schedules
Considering 55% of on-demand gig workers also have a regular full-time job, their time is especially precious – not to mention those who have families with their own school and work schedules.
Give your drivers visibility into relevant, impactful events so they can save time each day by planning around anticipated demand. The more time they’re serving your customers or heading to another job is more money for them, and less of a chance for them to take another on-demand job from a different company. Knowing exactly where and when to expect demand gives drivers the ability to plan their daily schedules around peak hours. For example:
When planning their day, a parent can decide whether to make a few deliveries before or after picking up their kids from school.
It can turn “maybe I’ll drive/deliver for a few hours” from a thought into action when they know exactly where they’re headed and have a sense of how much they can make.
They can maximize their routes and have the confidence to drive or deliver further afield, because they have information on demand catalysts that are worth traveling for, and ones they can tap into on the drive back.
When you can proactively send drivers out before demand hits, it cuts down arrival times and gives your drivers valuable time back. Not to mention more reliable estimates and service for your customers. These extra minutes add up at the end of the shift – that extra time could be all they needed to squeeze in one or two more deliveries during the day.
2. Help your drivers avoid traffic for faster deliveries
Intelligent event data makes it easy to pinpoint and plan around traffic routes heavily impacted by events such marathons, parades, and festivals. Combined with knowing which events will drive demand, it means drivers can be immediately in the vicinity of jobs rather than stuck in traffic trying to reach a demand spike, which is frustrating for them (and waiting customers!)
For example, a local sports game has a designated location, start time, and end time: all key details drivers can build into their plans. These three data points alone enable platforms to accurately identify the game’s impact on traffic patterns and estimated delivery times.
However, we recommend using Polygons for events that are more complicated such as:
More disruptive, sustained events such as multi-day festivals
Events based on a designated route, such as parades
Distributed events, such as school holidays
These types of events don’t take place in a single location, on a single date. Polygons represent these events on a map so your delivery and traffic models learn from the most detailed, complete metadata possible.
Ingest Polygons so your models can analyze, understand, and predict which events will interrupt main roads to ensure drivers know which areas to avoid and at which times. At the same time, if these events will reduce driver access to critical destinations such as restaurants, you can notify drivers and plan accordingly.
3. Build trust with your delivery network
The competition for drivers, delivery partners and on-demand workers is fierce out there. Build trust with driver and logistics partners by consistently providing them the details and recommendations they need to maximize earnings and minimize stress. Explain the why behind high demand alerts with lists of events that will impact their daily work schedule.
When you empower drivers to strategically decide which gigs to accept, and which travel routes to take, it starts a positive chain reaction for your driver network, and end users. Drivers feel more in control thanks to updated, accurate event details.
Drivers use these details to optimize their delivery times, which encourages positive customer reviews and tips that make all the difference in their weekly take home pay. For example:
Retailers can boost their reputation with deliveries that are on time, every time
Meal delivery apps can ensure piping hot food for hungry customers
Scooter and bike rental apps allocate enough inventory near high-demand areas
The key to driver retention and expansion is ensuring your system is built to consistently enable these types of positive experiences. The power to better plan their schedules, routines, routes, and deliveries gives drivers more confidence and control in a fast-paced industry.
When drivers know what to expect from you, they can feel confident about choosing to deliver for you over the competition. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for your free PredictHQ account today to start building a more content, reliable driver network by integrating enriched event data.
