Fee waivers deliver cheaper orders, but riders pay the price

The removal of handling and surge fees by Zepto and Swiggy’s Instamart earlier this month has made quick commerce deliveries cheaper for customers, but it has come at a growing cost to delivery partners. Earnings per order, which had already slipped from Rs 34–42 in early 2024 to around Rs 22–30 by the festive season in September, have now fallen further to between Rs 15 and Rs 27 in several high-density zones, according to data from multiple staffing firms.