Stuart Drops 18% Minimum Order Fee for Deliveries Up to Half a Mile
One of London’s leading delivery companies, Stuart, has announced a change to its fee policy that will impact food delivery riders across the city. Effective March 13, 2023, Stuart will introduce a new fee structure that could have significant implications for the industry in the UK, particularly at a time of high inflation.
Many riders depend on Stuart’s pay, even though they also work with other companies. However, with the introduction of the new fee structure, some riders may shift to other platforms, such as UberEats or Deliveroo. While Stuart currently has a high number of riders, they have not hired new ones in London over the past year.
The new fee structure will apply a low fee for deliveries that are closest, while the fee will increase for those that are farthest away. Additionally, after a rider waits for 15 minutes at the pickup location, Stuart will add a charge of 17 pence per minute. If a rider waits for 30 minutes or more, Stuart will apply a cancellation fee.
The change may disproportionately affect bicycle riders, who are typically assigned deliveries that are closest to them. However, if they have to deliver more than a mile away, their fee will remain the same as before.
| Transport Type | 0.5 Miles | 1 Mile | 1.5 Mile | 2 Mile | 2.5 Mile | Cancellation Fee |
| Cycle | 3.40 | 3.98 | 4.55 | 5.07 | 5.65 | 4 |
| Motorbike | 3.70 | 4.25 | 4.80 | 5.35 | 5.9 | 4.5 |
| Car | 3.80 | 4.33 | 4.85 | 5.37 | 5.89 | Same as Old |
Stuart’s new fee structure will include the following changes:
- A lower fee for deliveries that are nearest, and a higher fee for deliveries that are farther away.
- An additional charge of 17 pence per minute if a rider waits for 15 minutes at the pickup location.
- A cancellation fee for riders who are left waiting for 30 minutes or more.
Conclusion
Although the new fee structure may seem daunting, a closer examination of the updated policy suggests that its impact may not be as significant as some riders fear. Indeed, the new cancellation fee may ultimately provide additional protection for riders who are left waiting for extended periods at pickup.
Stuart’s introduction of a new fee policy may ultimately help to improve the efficiency of deliveries and ensure fair compensation for delivery drivers. However, it remains to be seen how the change will impact riders’ behavior and earnings in the long term.
