Scooter delivery businesses are growing rapidly in South Africa. From food and groceries to pharmacy items and documents, customers now expect quick, affordable delivery. But scooter delivery can pay poorly or reasonably, depending on how you work. Many riders earn gross amounts that seem ok, but real profit is what you take home after costs. If you want to increase scooter delivery profits, you must track your numbers, choose where and how you work, and manage costs.
What Riders Really Earn in South Africa
Pay varies by platform, area, and hours worked. Typical reported earnings for delivery drivers (not company employees) are modest. Some platforms pay around R 7 400–R 7 500 per month before costs.
For example:
- Checkers Sixty60 drivers report around R 7 500–R 8 200 gross per month. After fuel, bike rent, and maintenance, the take‑home can drop to R 2 800–R 4 000.
- Mr D Food often pays between R 14 and R 45 per delivery, with tips and bonuses pushing earnings up if you work peak hours; full‑time work might amount to about R 7 200 – R 8 800, or up to R 10 000 – R 12 000 for higher delivery volumes.
- Takealot drivers may earn R 20 – R 50 per delivery; full‑time riders can gross around R 8 000–R 12 000 per month, but your costs still cut into that.
These amounts show that gross income does not equal profit once you pay petrol, maintenance, insurance, and phone/data costs.
Track Your Actual Costs
If you don’t know your running costs, you can’t know profit. Track these in a simple weekly sheet:
Fuel: Petrol prices can vary weekly, and delivery bikes may use 1.5–3 L per 100 km.
Maintenance and tyres: Regular servicing reduces breakdown costs.
Insurance and tax: If you pay for bike insurance, include it here.
Data/phone: Apps and GPS need data.
Platform fees: Apps deduct their cut.
Record every cost and tally them against gross earnings. Your goal is to increase net, not gross.
Choose Work Areas That Pay Better
Where you ride affects how many orders you get and how far you travel. Urban centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria generally have more orders with shorter distances. Higher order volume means more deliveries per hour and less petrol spent per drop. Riders chasing far suburbs often burn fuel faster than they earn. Use live app demand maps and past data from your own shifts to pick the best zones.
Cut Fuel and Maintenance Spend
Fuel is often your highest weekly cost. Use simple steps to reduce it:
- Servicing on time keeps consumption lower.
- Keep tyres, brakes, and chain in sound condition.
- Plan routes to avoid traffic and long loops.
Apps like Google Maps and Waze give real‑time traffic updates so you spend less time in congestion and less petrol idling. Cheaper fuel use directly increases your take‑home income.
Plan Routes and Riding Time
Time on the road should make money, not just cost petrol and sweat. Your best hours often cluster around lunch (12:00–14:00) and dinner (18:00–21:00). Increase your deliveries by batching orders in the same area. Smart routing software lets you string deliveries close together, so you spend more time delivering and less time riding empty.
Use Simple Tools That Help
You don’t need expensive systems to run your delivery logic. Use:
- WhatsApp Business to manage customer messages.
- Google Sheets to track costs and earnings.
- Free GPS apps to plan efficient routes.
These tools help you see patterns in your own data so you can choose which days and times give you higher net income.
Train Yourself or Your Riders
Suppose you manage more than one person; training matters. Riders who handle scooters well have fewer breakdowns and lower repair costs. Teach safe riding, clear communication with customers, and route planning tips. Polite riders with good service get better tips, which adds directly to profit.
Manage Customer Experience
Customers who feel respected give better ratings and tips. Send updates if you are delayed. Show up on time. Respond to complaints calmly and fix errors. Repeat customers and better ratings increase your chances of higher‑paying deliveries on some platforms.
Risks and Real Costs
You face risks on the road. Delivery drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees, so you carry all vehicle and safety costs yourself. Fuel price changes, theft, fines, or breakdowns all affect your net profit. Plan for these by setting aside a small emergency fund from your weekly takings.
Scooter delivery businesses are growing rapidly in South Africa. From food and groceries to pharmacy items and documents, customers now expect quick, affordable delivery. But scooter delivery can pay poorly Read More
