In a transforming landscape, Canadian truck driver Jared reflects on the evolution of his profession over the past two decades. Once reliant on payphones and pagers, he now manages routes, cargo bookings, and payments through a multitude of digital devices from his lorry cabin. The digital revolution in trucking has been largely driven by "Uberised" platforms that match drivers with freight opportunities but has also raised alarms over plunging wages.
Today, Jared can earn more efficiently, scanning platforms for jobs while on the road. Yet he laments that despite these perks, wages have dwindled — the cost per mile has plummeted from $3 during the COVID pandemic to as low as $1.10 on certain routes. Amid rising fuel prices, truckers like him question the sustainability of gig-style work that often benefits larger firms at their expense.
Christopher Monette of Teamsters Canada voiced concerns about the potential harm that gig-market models pose to wages and working conditions. He emphasized that truckers need improved protections and higher pay instead of merely another app. Although Uber Freight did not directly address wage issues, a spokesperson emphasized their adaptability features, allowing carriers to find loads based on individual preferences.
Digital trucking service providers are also emerging to enhance efficiencies. Vancouver-based Freightera, founded by Eric Beckwitt, allows drivers to set their own rates, promising a more sustainable income model and faster route finding. Beckwitt is excited about the future possibilities of artificial intelligence streamlining operations and possibly revolutionizing the logistics sector within decades.
Globally, the trend towards digital solutions is prevalent, including in freight-reliant economies like Kenya. Here, over 75% of freight movements are by road, with companies like LORI working towards optimizing logistics and minimizing wasted journeys.
While advancements in AI and operational efficiency may offer benefits such as reduced carbon emissions, fears are mounting about the future of drivers' jobs. The deployment of driverless trucks is already unfolding in the United States and China, raising important questions about automation's impact on employment.
Though technology promises a more efficient future, for truckers like Jared, the priority remains ensuring a fair livelihood amidst growing technological changes. The trucking industry stands at a crossroads, balancing innovation with the urgent need for ethical labor practices.
