Mobile Hub Launched To Better Assist Foodpanda Delivery Riders

Online food and grocery delivery platform foodpanda has unveiled its pandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels to better assist and engage its delivery riders nationwide.

Launched on Friday, April 28, at the Soundcheck Studio in Marikina City, pandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels is a pink-colored coaster set to be located at partner gas stations Caltex, Unioil and Jetti for the riders’ easy access.

According to foodpanda Philippines operations director Patricia Jacinto, the project was launched following the riders’ requests for direct interaction with the platform’s representatives.

“This is one thing we always hear the riders tell us…they ask (in surveys done), ‘Where’s your hub? We want to see you guys’ so this is really our answer to that as well,” Jacinto said during the launching.

Jacinto explained the initiative has three main objectives. First is to improve rider satisfaction, second is to increase rider and company engagement, and last is to highlight the Bamboo Rewards, foodpanda’s rider rewards program.

“We want to keep our Ka-panda riders feeling loved and valued and of course we want to keep them happily engaged so we can continue to serve our customers in the best foodpanda ways possible,” Jacinto said.

With pandaPatrol, riders are able to play “simple but fun games” along with having a relaxation area daily. According to Jacinto, riders can also earn points for their Bamboo Rewards through games and redeem the rewards from the coaster right away.

The mobile hub also serves as an assistance center for riders who want to personally express concerns to foodpanda representatives. Up to four riders can be simultaneously entertained by company representatives given the coaster’s spacious interior.

“Right then and there, we can hear them out and provide the appropriate solution to their queries,” Jacinto said. “Whether they are having technical issues with their accounts, need assistance on their delivery sessions, or simply want to provide feedback for process improvement, (their concerns will be immediately addressed).”

Jacinto added that riders can inquire about benefits, programs, policies and activities through pandaPatrol. In line with this, foodpanda said on-ground booths will be present where riders can further learn about their company privileges.

Aspiring riders can also register through the mobile hub to become part of foodpanda.

PandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels is set to fully launch by June nationwide. Prior to this, a roadshow had already kicked off last April in Metro Manila, with Luzon and areas in Visayas and Mindanao soon to follow suit.

Prior to pandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels, Jacinto said they hosted “Panda Legends: Ultimate Battle” online game tournament recently, which brought riders together. The winning teams also brought home cash prizes.

There were also the partnerships with Pag-IBIG Fund and the Philippine Statistics Authority so that company riders can avail of their benefits such as social security programs.

On a wider scale, Jacinto said riders were able to earn twice the amount of tips received during the “Double Tips, Double Love!” foodpanda campaign across six Asian markets, including the Philippines last April.

“The heart of our business is the riders and I personally believe [and say] this, to everyone I meet, [and] my team, they all know this: ‘The heart of operations is the riders, without them we don’t exist,” Jacinto said.

“Their performance, the service they render to our customers and their attitude as Ka-panda riders (are the most important),’” Jacinto added.