SAN FRANCISCO, CA - After much ado about delving into the trucking industry, Uber has officially launched its Uber Freight application to pair truckers with companies looking to move product.
The new platform, specifically targeting "vetted and approved drivers" according to TechCrunch, looks to streamline the freight process and mitigate delays in the supply chain.
As we reported back in November of 2016, Uber Freight intends to take into account special needs of shipments–such as making sure hazardous materials get loaded into hazmat trucks–as well as providing real-time pricing of services based on supply and demand.
As with its more familiar application, which TechCrunch reported is much the same look and feel as the new launch, shippers will be able to follow where product is. While Uber acknowledged this could mean a surge in pricing for freight, it expressed confidence that the model will be more cost-effective in the long run.
In looking to eliminate the need for a third party, the company also said it would help to streamline the speed of payment.
Uber said that Freight will pay “within a few days, fee-free, for every single load,” according to TechCrunch, along with additional fees depending on the wait periods should cases arise where payments don’t go through as quickly.
In browsing responses to the launch, some seemed to remain skeptical of the provider’s promise to allow drivers to simply "tap and go" with accurate cost quotes upfront when browsing available loads, destination, and distance requirement information. And it is no secret that other are in the running to capture the next generation of the trucking industry, including a pilot in the works by Amazon.
As the wheels for this project continue to turn, AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop on how this can affect produce’s trip from the grower/shippers to the consumer.
