A majority of food delivery and quick-commerce riders in India are seeking access to basic facilities such as clean restrooms and designated spaces to sit and eat, highlighting gaps in the working environment for gig workers.
According to the UPZY Gig Worker Survey 2026, 91% of respondents identified clean restrooms as their most sought-after facility, while 88% said they needed a decent place to sit and eat during their working hours.
The survey was based on in-person interviews with 4,163 food delivery and quick-commerce riders. It found that 68% of respondents work for 10 hours or more a day, indicating the extended hours many riders spend on the road.
The survey also found that 55% of riders would use mobile repair services, while 29% identified EV battery swapping as a useful facility.
About 72% of respondents said they live away from their families, primarily in shared accommodation with friends or in hostels.
“Gig workers are now an integral part of how India’s urban economy functions, from food and commerce to mobility and other on-demand services,” said Aditya Vuchi, Co-founder and CEO, UPZY.
He said the growing gig workforce makes worker retention increasingly important for businesses dependent on delivery and other on-demand services, adding that worker experience and support systems need greater attention alongside earnings and order fulfilment.
Niranjan Seelam, Co-founder and COO, UPZY, said gig workers do not have a conventional workplace where they can stop between orders to eat, use a restroom or attend to everyday needs.
The findings point to the need for more accessible basic facilities for workers who spend extended periods on the road as India’s food delivery and quick-commerce networks continue to expand.