A Singapore food delivery rider has claimed he recently switched from foodpanda to Grab after becoming frustrated with what he described as declining incentives and tougher delivery targets.
For the case of this rider, identified only as Alex, shared his experience in a private conversation that has since sparked discussion about earnings, gig economy pressures, and the increasingly competitive food delivery industry in Singapore.
According to Alex, delivery riders on foodpanda are now allegedly required to complete significantly more orders to qualify for smaller incentive payouts compared to previous years.
His comments come as many delivery riders continue facing rising operational costs, including petrol prices, vehicle maintenance, ERP charges, and longer working hours to maintain stable earnings.
Rider Says Incentive Structure Became Harder To Achieve
Alex explained that under the previous system, riders completing around 20 to 25 deliveries daily could reportedly receive weekly incentives of approximately S$190.
However, he claimed the platform later adjusted its incentive structure, requiring riders to exceed 30 deliveries a day while receiving only around S$150 in total incentives.
“They want us send more orders and pay us less,” he reportedly said during the conversation.
“Last time for Panda,
Mon to Fri 20 orders a day
Sat and Sun 25 orders a day
Incentive is $120+$30+$40 =$190
Now for the same workload, get $0.
Now just to hit the minimum incentive, need to do 31 more orders to get $56 lesser ($134)”
The rider described the newer targets as less worthwhile, especially considering the additional time, fatigue, and fuel expenses required to hit higher delivery numbers.
He added that the revised structure eventually pushed him to leave foodpanda and join Grab instead.
Grab Allegedly Offers More Achievable Rewards
According to Alex, Grab’s incentive system currently feels “more achievable” and requires fewer completed orders to unlock bonuses.
He claimed that despite handling fewer deliveries, he was earning better incentives compared to his previous experience on foodpanda.
His remarks have resonated with some gig workers online, with several riders across Singapore increasingly discussing earnings transparency, incentive reductions, and burnout within the food delivery sector.
Others noted that rider experiences can vary significantly depending on location, timing, weather conditions, and demand patterns.
The food delivery industry in Singapore remains highly competitive, with riders frequently switching between platforms based on incentive campaigns, surge pricing, and delivery demand.
Gig Economy Pressures Continue To Grow
The discussion also highlights broader concerns surrounding Singapore’s gig economy workforce.
Many delivery riders rely heavily on incentive programmes to supplement basic delivery fees, especially as inflation and living costs continue affecting daily expenses.
Industry observers have noted that platforms may periodically revise incentive schemes to manage operational costs and balance rider supply with customer demand.
At the same time, riders often compare payout structures closely between competing apps to maximise income and reduce physical strain from long delivery hours.
As competition intensifies among food delivery platforms in Singapore, rider retention and fair incentive structures are expected to remain major talking points within the industry.