Delivery, logistics firms testing out PMDs with mixed results
Food delivery service Foodpanda is one company that has actively used personal mobility devices. Photo: Foodpanda
SINGAPORE — Riding on the personal mobility devices (PMDs) fever, some delivery and logistics firms here have deployed or are experimenting with the use of such devices — but have seen mixed results.
Fast-food giant McDonald’s and food-delivery service Foodpanda started using PMDs in their daily operations from as early as one year ago and are continuing to do so.
In contrast, logistics firm Ninja Van scrapped the plan last year after trying it out for two months because it found that Singapore’s erratic weather made it hard for the company to keep to delivery schedules.
Meanwhile, food-delivery firm Deliveroo may try out deliveries in the Central Business District (CBD) using an electric scooter next week. Responding to TODAY’s queries, McDonald’s said it has piloted the use of PMDs in several of its restaurants, and it was “still in the early stages of implementation”. It did not give further details.
At Foodpanda, the use of electric bicycles began last May for deliveries within the CBD, which it found cut delivery time, its head of operations Jan Simek said. Foodpanda has a fleet of about 40 e-bikes, and Mr Simek said the company decided to use them so that it could recruit workers who do not own bikes or riding licences.
Ninja Van, which was the earliest to try out PMDs for its operations in November 2014, ditched the idea two months later. It started the trial with 10 electric scooters to make deliveries to multiple locations in close proximity within the CBD, but found that there could be delays because of Singapore’s tropical climate and unpredictable weather conditions, said chief executive officer Lai Chang Wen.
“Uncertain regulation over the use of it (at the time) and limited efficiency uplift were major reasons the trial ended,” he added.
Last month, the Government announced it had accepted all the recommendations of the Active Mobility Advisory Panel on rules and guidelines governing the use of bicycles and PMDs. The changes — most of which are expected to be implemented by year end or early next year — include a 15kmh speed limit for footpaths, which can be used by bicycles and personal mobility aids and devices such as electric scooters, kick-scooters and hoverboards.
Deliveroo Singapore general manager Tristan Torres said the firm would start using electric scooters for deliveries after the new rules set in, as the firm “would like to adhere to all rules and regulations (under) the law”.
In the meantime, the firm could begin trials next week in the CBD with one electric scooter to assess its feasibility. “We will select a merchant, assign a rider and check the quality of the delivery at completion,” he said.
Mr Torres added that the firm’s emphasis was on speedy deliveries, and if it found that PMDs help it pick up the pace in congested CBD areas, it would be keen to roll out the plan. PMDs are also a “fantastic” environmentally friendly option to reduce pollution here, he added.
Marketing manager Timothy Ng, 30, who works in the CBD, said that although the majority of PMD users whom he has come across in the CBD are commuters, he has seen food being delivered on electric scooters during lunchtime. He is not concerned about the presence of PMDs near his workplace as he believes the riders are generally careful and aware that “it can be dangerous”.
Mr Gabriel Yuen, 26, a trainee lawyer, pointed out that the potential for accidents could be higher during the morning and evening rush hours when the pavements are crowded.
Echoing this view, financial analyst Lee Pei Zi, 24, said that while the occasional PMDs are not a concern because of their small numbers, “if those numbers increase, it might become chaotic, especially in the CBD where it is crowded”.
PMD retailers who spoke to TODAY noted modest increases in sales following the Government’s acceptance of the panel’s recommendations last month.
Skateline director Chang Eng Kiat said his firm has seen a 20 to 25 per cent increase in PMD sales since. He noted that users who held back from buying PMDs because of “grey areas” — including permitted speeds — were more willing to make a purchase.
At Esibike, sales of electric scooters have risen by about 5 per cent since, said Mr Andy Ong, from its sales and marketing team. He noted that electric scooters appealed to those unable to afford cars or motorcycles. “To go to work or (otherwise), it’s actually easier for them,” he said.
