The trucking industry is essential to the transportation of goods within the United States.
However, it has many flaws. Most of these center around a communication issue that arises
between truckers and dispatchers. Individuals and small trucking companies can be overworked
due to scheduling conflicts and miscommunication.
That is where Uber Freight comes in. Their app helps resolve some of the issues truckers and
shippers face on a daily basis. With the release of their most recent update, the app isn’t just for
individuals anymore. Smaller companies will be able to compete with the larger ones by using
Uber Freight’s exclusive “fleet mode.”
Benefits for Truckers
The main feature that the new update offers for truckers is a matching tool. It helps independent
drivers find shippers in need. This part of the app is only available when you are in “fleet mode,”
which is exclusive to fleets of 10 trucks or less. This feature is excellent for small trucking
companies because it provides a way for them to connect with shippers and not compete with
larger companies.
Since almost 90% of all trucking companies operate six or fewer trucks, this new feature will
allow Uber to foster more relationships between shippers and truckers. Fleet mode also helps
drivers communicate better with their small business owners and dispatchers. Phil DeKnight
owns three trucks, and he says the app helps him “communicate with [his] drivers before
booking loads.”
How the App Works
One of the primary goals of the new fleet mode is to improve communication between
dispatchers and drivers. Once you and your dispatcher connect through the app, there are a few
things you can do that will help limit communication issues.
First, dispatchers will be shown a list of available freights and when their drivers are free. This
information can help reduce the number of scheduling conflicts that lead to overworked drivers
and delayed deliveries.
If a dispatcher wants to assign a job to a driver, they send them a notification. The driver then
logs into the app and responds to it. They can either accept or decline the job.
Uber Freight sets a flat rate and pays the driver. Drivers benefit from this feature of the app
because they don’t have to deal with negotiating salary. They know that they will be paid fairly
and consistently.
Also, the app provides details about the load a driver is assigned to carry. For example, when a
driver accepts a job, they will receive a pickup time. A delivery time will also be conveyed to the
dispatcher. This feature is unique to Uber Freight, and other load boards don’t have it.
The Rise of the App
In 2016, Uber broke into the trucking business. They created Uber Freight, which focused on
autonomous trucks. The first delivery by one of these trucks took place in October of 2016, and
Uber launched the first version of the Uber Freight website in December.
This new technology led to controversy within the shipping industry. Truckers feared for their
jobs and shippers were hopeful for a cheaper and less risky way to transport goods. When they
launched the Uber Freight app, on the other hand, truckers and shippers alike were pleased. At
first, it only matched individual truckers with shippers in need of deliveries. This new “fleet
mode” allows for companies with up to 10 trucks to utilize the revolutionary communication and
organization features of the app.
Effects on Shippers
The app boasts many features for truckers, but shippers can also benefit from it. You will end up
spending less time on the phone dealing with simple questions about pickup and delivery. You
can also rest assured that your drivers aren’t overworked since the app limits them per the
federal hours-of-service rule.
It also simplifies billing for shippers. You merely have to pay a flat rate that is set by Uber and
your drivers are paid within a week of delivery. If you use the app, these features will
exponentially reduce the amount of time you spend negotiating rates and distributing payment.
Overall, Uber Freight offers a lot of benefits to the trucking industry. Both truckers and shippers
can benefit from better scheduling practices and standardized pay, although the latter may be a
bit more controversial than the former.
