u/Mhb_Rana

The truggle as a Foodpanda Rider.

I joined Foodpanda when I was struggling financially. Initially, it was quite hard but also interesting because it was my first time working as a delivery rider. After working for one week, I started to understand the process and algorithm, but not completely.

One day, I received an order request from Pandamart: 24 bottles of 2-liter water (a total of 48 liters, around 50 kg). There were four riders, including me. I was the main rider, and the other three were sub-riders (6 bottles per rider).

When I reached Pandamart, I met the other three riders. After talking to them, I'd known that the order had been assigned to another rider before me, but he had rejected it. Anyway, we collected the items. It was very hard to carry 12 liters of water and ride a bicycle. So, we decided to take a rickshaw and deliver the order together, splitting the fare.

Then they told me, “You are the main rider, so you should go and deliver the items. We don’t need to go.” They also suggested that I tell the customer to receive the items from the ground floor.

Since I was a new rider and this was only my 2nd/3rd order from Pandamart, I dint argue with them and agree.

So, I started the delivery. It was from Pandamart Dhanmondi to a Partex er goli in Rayerbag. I followed the rickshaw on my bicycle. After reaching the location, I called the customer. He told me to bring the items to his flat (there was a lift). I replied, “Sir, I can’t carry all these items alone. Please help me to bing them.” But the customer behaved rudely and mentioned that he was a pro Foodpanda user.

Anyway, I carried all the items to his door.

I received only 35 BDT for this delivery, and I had to pay 15 BDT for the shared rickshaw fare.

I felt completely disappointed that day. I didn’t continue working this day. and decided to resign from Foodpanda after some day.

After few day my bicycle was stolen, so I unofficially stopped working.

Working as a Foodpanda delivery rider is very challenging with such low income. We earn only 30–40 BDT per delivery. Due to traffic and waiting time at restaurants, it takes 30–40 minutes to complete one order. And there is also a high risk of bicycle theft because most restaurants haven't parking facilities, we have to park our cycle on road and we have to wait 5–10 minutes inside.