Bengaluru traffic police urges online delivery firms to offer incentives to gig workers for safe riding

Bengaluru traffic police have intensified enforcement with a special drive aimed at curbing violations by e-commerce and food delivery riders.

Bengaluru traffic police has urged delivery companies to incentivise gig workers for obeying traffic rules.

In a meeting held on September 30, representatives from e-commerce and food delivery companies such as Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Shadowfax, Porter, Big Basket, and Yulu Bikes — a shared electric scooter start-up — met with Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru traffic), MN Anucheth.

Also, read: Congress woos gig workers with welfare fund from transaction fee on aggregator platforms

Anucheth highlighted the traffic violations committed by two-wheeler riders, especially delivery agents.

He asked the companies for suggestions on reducing these violations, recommending the integration of technology for monitoring their drivers and offering incentives for safe driving.

“One recommendation is to install GPS [global positioning system] tracking mechanisms to monitor a rider's performance. We have asked the companies to incentivise safe-riding practices,” Anucheth said. He suggested developing comprehensive safety policies, exchanging data with traffic police, and conducting regular training sessions in collaboration with police officials.

Also, read: Karnataka transport department seizes illegal electric scooters in Bengaluru

Yulu e-scooters, used by many delivery workers, have come under scrutiny.  “Yulu e-scooters also require helmets and must not be ridden on footpaths. We want these vehicles to be treated like any other motorised vehicle. They must obey all traffic rules, including not riding on footpaths,” Anucheth said. Though discussions have been in progress with companies for months, he said that only Yulu has conducted training for around 200 workers.

Also, read: How Bengaluru police is taking the lead in ensuring gig workers' safety

Bengaluru traffic police cracks down on delivery workers

Bengaluru traffic police has intensified enforcement, with a special drive aimed at curbing violations by e-commerce and food delivery riders. Traffic police records show that on November 9, 2,670 cases were booked, resulting in Rs 13.7 lakh in fines. On November 11, 5,979 cases were booked with Rs 30.5 lakh in fines. Similarly, on November 12, 4,276 cases were booked with Rs 22 lakh in penalties.

Common violations include riding without helmets, using mobile phones, jumping traffic signals, triple riding, parking on footpaths, and defective or missing number plates.

"We hope these aggregator companies will work with us to improve driver behaviour. For instance, if we catch 5,000 delivery agents a day for violations, it affects their operations and delivery timelines," Anucheth said.

Also, read: Karnataka plans 1-2% transaction fee on aggregator platforms like Zomato, Swiggy for gig worker welfare fund

Concerns from delivery workers

While aggregator companies were not immediately available for comment, delivery workers voiced concerns over unrealistic delivery deadlines set by their employers.

Vinay Sarathy, president of the United Food Delivery Partners Union, said that promises of "10-minute deliveries" or "30-minute food delivery or it's free" pressure workers to meet tight deadlines, often at the cost of their own safety. “This doesn’t justify traffic violations, but the issue lies in the unrealistic expectations set by these companies,” he said.

Also, read: Bengaluru startup begins food delivery in 10 mins, sparks debate: 'labour exploitation'

The Karnataka government has been exploring solutions for the gig economy and is expected to present the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill in the upcoming winter session of the assembly. The bill proposes up to 2 per cent transaction fee on aggregator platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy. An insurance scheme for gig workers, offering life and accident coverage of Rs 2 lakh each, was also launched in September 2023, with plans to cover around 2.3 lakh workers across the state.

Also, read: Only 3,000 gig workers have registered for insurance scheme so far: Karnataka labour department