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App Transportation Professionals Are Leaving Passenger Rides and Finding New Opportunities in Deliveries, Transforming the Industry Dynamic and Seeking More Financial Predictability with Less Mileage Driven.
The app transportation landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation in Brazil.
In recent months, several drivers have chosen to migrate from passenger transportation to the delivery sector, driven by reports of higher earnings and a less exhausting routine.
The movement is visible in discussion groups, social media, and, mainly, on the streets of major cities, where the search for greater financial predictability and better quality of life has become a priority, according to a report published by the newspaper Zero Hora.
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App Drivers Change Course
At around 2:30 PM on a recent Thursday, Deives Lael, 35 years old, arrived at a distribution center with an empty car.
Fifteen minutes later, he was preparing to start a new route with the vehicle loaded with 54 packages.
Lael, who worked for seven years as an app driver, is an example of a professional who saw in the delivery sector the opportunity to achieve more consistent earnings and drive less miles daily.
According to him, by switching from passenger rides to deliveries, he started driving about a hundred kilometers a day and still achieved earnings higher than what he received before, when he needed to drive at least 300 kilometers daily and use more than one transportation platform to ensure a return.
This migration movement, which gained momentum mainly in the last six months, has been closely monitored by the Union of Drivers in Private Transportation via Apps of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Simtrapli-RS).
According to the president of the organization, Carina Trindade, many drivers report satisfaction with not having to deal directly with passengers anymore, which reduces stressful situations and unfair negative ratings.
The possibility of receiving a predetermined amount and driving fixed routes are factors cited as important differentiators for those opting for the delivery of goods, as detailed in the newspaper Zero Hora‘s report.
Deliveries Gain Strength with E-Commerce
Working as a partner for companies like Shopee, Amazon, and Mercado Livre has become a frequent choice among these professionals.
In these cases, drivers pick up goods at distribution centers and follow predetermined routes, making deliveries at various points in the city.
Deives Lael, for example, now works as a microentrepreneur and provides services mainly for Shopee.
Despite a working day of up to 12 hours, he highlights that the earnings are more predictable and vehicle wear is less.
In one week, Lael reached earnings of R$ 3,4 thousand driving a hundred kilometers a day for six days, a result that, in passenger transportation, would require driving from 300 to 500 kilometers daily and splitting time between two platforms.
The more stable routine and increase in earnings are the results of a new work profile, which demands detailed route knowledge, agility, and discipline.
According to Lael, managing two daily loads and meeting delivery deadlines requires planning but provides a better balance between effort and remuneration.
To further increase his earnings, he plans to invest in the purchase of a light cargo vehicle, like a Fiat Fiorino, aiming to transport larger volumes and enhance his productivity.
Read also: Uber SEO Says He ‘Occasionally’ Works as an App Driver
Delivery Sector Grows with Online Demand
The significant growth of the delivery sector in Brazil is directly linked to the advance of e-commerce.
Since the onset of the pandemic, platforms such as Mercado Livre, Shopee, and Amazon have increased their investments in logistics, multiplying distribution centers and boosting the number of partner drivers to expedite deliveries.
In Rio Grande do Sul, for instance, Shopee operates with three logistics properties totaling 37.3 thousand square meters, while Mercado Livre maintains a unit of 7.1 thousand square meters in the state.
Recently, Amazon also announced the arrival of Amazon Flex to Brazil, allowing independent drivers to register for direct deliveries through the platform.
According to a report from the newspaper Zero Hora, the presence of these giants in the sector has been expanding the number of opportunities for drivers seeking more stability and better remuneration.
More Quality of Life for App Drivers
The transition to the delivery sector has also brought benefits for the professionals’ well-being.
Ytalo Schaidhauer, 29 years old, reports that, in addition to achieving higher earnings, he can escape the common traffic jams during rush hours, as deliveries can be concentrated in specific neighborhoods without the need to cover long distances on major avenues.
He highlights that, with the same amount spent on fuel, he can multiply the financial return through deliveries, unlike passenger transport, which requires longer trips to ensure the same result.
Another aspect often mentioned is the possibility of better organizing the routine and spending more time with family.
Karoline Marques Acosta, 40 years old, adopted deliveries as her main activity in November 2024, after six years as an app driver.
For her, the predictability of earnings and the chance to spend more time with her nine-year-old daughter were decisive for the career change.
According to Karoline, the fixed payment dates and control over her agenda allowed for a new dynamic in her personal and professional life.
The newspaper also pointed out that, even with these benefits, many professionals have not fully abandoned passenger rides.
The main reason lies in the need for immediate liquidity, as delivery payments are made on scheduled dates set by the platforms.
In these cases, drivers resort to passenger transport to cover occasional expenses, such as refueling, but prioritize deliveries to ensure a more stable income.
Economic Effects and Challenges of the Delivery Sector
From an economic standpoint, experts like Moisés Waismann, coordinator of the Unilasalle Observatory: Work, Management, and Public Policies, observe that the expansion of the delivery sector generates immediate positive impacts, with increased cash flow and growth in local economic activity.
However, he warns about the importance of discussing the sustainability of these occupations in the long term.
The history of app transportation shows that, with an increase in the supply of drivers, there is a risk of market saturation and degradation of working conditions.
For this reason, it is essential to think about protection policies and alternatives to avoid the devaluation of these roles, as emphasized in analyses conducted by the newspaper Zero Hora.
Regarding formalization, most delivery platforms require drivers to be registered as legal entities, usually through the microentrepreneur (MEI) category.
However, the discussion about workers’ rights and guarantees remains open, especially in light of the growing trend in the delivery sector.
Will the delivery sector maintain its attractiveness in the coming years, or will new challenges arise as more professionals turn to this alternative?
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