Delivery drivers in Pittsburgh area feeling pain at the pump

Rising gas prices are having an immediate impact on the bottom line for businesses that rely on deliveries.

Tom Luscombe is the third-generation owner of Greensburg Floral. He told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that more than 90% of his business comes from deliveries throughout Westmoreland County.

“There is no budget for it,” Luscombe said. “As the prices go up daily, it affects the flowers coming in and the flowers going out.”

Luscombe said the shop changed its business model during the pandemic and now has less staff, which means more hours for everyone else. He said increased fuel costs will ultimately trickle down to customers, but he’s hoping better days are ahead.

“Hang in there and pray. That’s what we’re doing,” Luscombe said.

Gas prices in the Pittsburgh area went up nearly 50 cents per gallon for regular in the past week. For delivery drivers, it’s an added cost of doing business.

“It just cost me $96 to fill up and before it was in the $60-70 range,” delivery driver Rich O’Neal said.

O’Neal is a retired police officer who now delivers for apps such as Roadie and Shipt.

“The rate they are paying me isn’t going up, but the rate I’m paying to do this sure is,” O’Neal said. “It’s going to reach a point where it’s not cost-effective to do this anymore.”

Source: Delivery drivers in Pittsburgh area feeling pain at the pump

%d bloggers like this: