Consumers at every income level and businesses in all MA regions rely on app-based drivers
BOSTON, MA – July 27, 2022 – A new study conducted by BW Research Partnership shows that Massachusetts residents, businesses, and visitors relied heavily on rideshare and delivery services in 2021, using the services nearly 85 million times, with 29% of rides and deliveries ending in lower-income areas.
The study illustrates the profound reliance of Massachusetts residents and businesses on app-based rideshare and delivery drivers, who, in turn, depend on the flexibility in scheduling they enjoy as independent contractors to meet the immense demand for services.
“I personally would not be able to continue driving with Lyft if I was forced into being an employee,” said Raya Denny, a college student from Springfield. “Being an independent contractor and choosing my hours is what allows me to do this work and earn money while getting an education. If we can’t drive on our own terms, I am afraid that many drivers across Massachusetts won’t do this work anymore.”
Other key findings include:
- Massachusetts residents used rideshare or delivery services more than 232,000 times per day on average in 2021
- Massachusetts merchants – mostly restaurants and retailers – maintained 21,000 accounts on app-based platforms in 2021 and sold nearly $1.5 billion worth of meals, groceries, or convenience items to local consumers
- Over 24 million deliveries or rides in Massachusetts (28.7%) ended in low-income areas
- The most popular destinations for rideshare rides in Greater Boston include Logan Airport, South Station, TD Garden, Encore Boston Harbor casino, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fenway Park, the Prudential Center and Boston Children’s Hospital
- Top destinations in other regions around the state were common transportation hubs, such as the airport and ferry terminals in Hyannis, big retail establishments, like Holyoke Mall in Holyoke or Walmart in Lunenburg, educational institutions such as College of the Holy Cross and Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, as well as numerous hospitals and hospitality establishments
The study, commissioned by Flexibility & Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers, draws on 2021 data provided by four rideshare and delivery network companies (DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft, and Uber) to determine the distribution of rides and deliveries throughout Massachusetts.
The analysis also looked at 10 geographical areas across the state. The full study can be found here.
In recent months, drivers have been seeking to secure the flexibility they have enjoyed as independent contractors while gaining new benefits through a collaborative legislative solution. The Flexibility & Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers committee remains committed to securing the flexibility of app-based rideshare and delivery work for the 83% of Massachusetts drivers who prefer to remain independent contractors.