Mon, 21 Jul 2025

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

Matching trucks with cargo has become digitised, adding efficiency, but driving down earnings.
New digital platforms have transformed the trucking industry, allowing drivers like Jared to find work more easily and get paid instantly. However, this shift has also led to a decline in wages, with some drivers earning as little as $1.10 per mile. The "Uberized" platforms, which digitally match truckers with companies that need to move freight, have increased competition among drivers and led to lower earnings. Critics argue that the rise of gig-style work will make it even harder for truckers to earn a living wage. Some digital trucking services, such as Freightera, claim to be good for business, allowing drivers to set their own prices and find reliable demand for service. However, others, like Uber Freight, have been accused of contributing to the decline in wages by setting prices that are too low. Industry experts warn that the increasing use of technology in trucking could lead to job losses as driverless trucks become more common. In some countries, such as Kenya, digital platforms have already transformed the industry, with over 75% of inland freight moved by road. However, critics argue that the benefits of digitalization must be shared fairly among all stakeholders, including drivers and companies. The issue of wages and working conditions in the trucking industry has been raised by trade unions, which are concerned about the impact of gig-style work on driver livelihoods. Drivers like Jared say they need stronger protections and better pay to make a living in an increasingly competitive market.
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