Uber Freight To Offer Small Carriers Consistency With Short-Term Dedicated Contracts

Hours spent booking individual loads "often results in inconsistent earnings," according to Uber Freight — especially when the market swings as dramatically as it has in 2020. Brokers, including one of Uber Freight's main competitors, Convoy, have recently addressed this need for consistency.

In July, Convoy announced it would allow carriers to bid on dedicated freight contracts lasting up to six months, including up to 40 live and drop loads per week, on the company's mobile app.

"Historically, dedicated freight has been reserved for large or medium-size carriers because of the inaccurate perception that small carriers are less reliable," Convoy said in a news release last month. "Now, every owner-operator and small fleet has access to steady and stable work."

During the economic downturn, contracts signed before the pandemic shielded some large carriers from taking on significant financial losses when volumes dropped at the end of March through May. For small fleets that relied on the spot market during the market's most volatile stretch, the choice was often between parking trucks and deadheading.