I recently came across a news story online from China about parents who have signed up for monthly subscriptions through food delivery apps to have delivery drivers take their children to and from school. To be honest, my first reaction was, “You can outsource that?” But upon further reflection, the social phenomenon this reflects is actually worth discussing in depth.
What is an event?
In some Chinese cities, due to the prevalence of dual-income households, long commutes to school districts, and complex traffic conditions, some parents have begun using food delivery apps to “pick up and drop off their children.” The process is simple: parents place an order on the app, specifying a time and location, and a delivery driver picks up the child and takes them to school or a tutoring center.
Some parents even opt for a "monthly subscription" plan, paying a fixed monthly fee to avoid the hassle of placing individual orders. According to reports, some platforms turn a blind eye to this practice, treating these orders as normal as long as no issues arise.
Does this happen in Taiwan?
To be honest, we haven’t heard of anything like this in Taiwan yet. Most parents still pick up and drop off their children by driving them themselves, calling a taxi, or letting the children walk or take public transportation on their own.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future. The range of services offered by food delivery platforms in Taiwan is becoming increasingly diverse, covering everything from food and daily necessities to medications and documents. If one day people actually start using delivery platforms to send their children, I wouldn’t be too surprised.
An Analysis from the Perspective of a Food Delivery Driver
1. The Issue of Liability
Picking up and dropping off children is not the same as delivering food. If an accident occurs along the way—a car crash, an injury to the child, or even something more serious—who is responsible? The driver? The platform? Or the parents? Current regulations provide absolutely no guidance for this type of “non-traditional delivery service.”
2. Issues Regarding Delivery Drivers' Protections
We have purchased the "Commercial Motorcycle Rider's Endorsement," which covers accidents that occur while "transporting cargo." If an accident happens while driving children to and from school, will the insurance company pay out? Even insurance agents might not be able to say for sure.
3. The Role of the Platform
Currently, the terms of service for most food delivery platforms explicitly prohibit the “transportation of live animals,” but in practice, they rarely conduct proactive checks. When asked about this issue, a Chinese platform responded that it was “unable to verify the contents of every single order.” Put simply, this response amounts to a “wait-and-see” attitude.
My Observations
After working in the Taipei-New Taipei area for three years, I’ve definitely come across a few orders with “special requests”—such as babysitting, walking pets, or even watering plants. To me, these orders all have one thing in common: they’re high-risk, the pay isn’t always great, and if something goes wrong, I’m the one who has to take the blame.
My rule is simple: as a general rule, I don’t take on orders where safety isn’t guaranteed. This isn’t cowardice; it’s about taking responsibility for myself and for others.
Possible impacts
If this model of “picking up and dropping off children” becomes widespread in Taiwan, it would actually be a warning sign for delivery riders. Why? Because when delivery riders start taking on the role of “caregivers,” the level of risk is completely different.
With food delivery, if something gets dropped or spilled, the worst that can happen is you have to pay for it. But when you’re driving your kids around, if an accident happens along the way, that’s not something money can fix.
FAQ
Q: Can you file a complaint about this type of order on Taiwanese food delivery platforms?
A: Yes. However, the platform will likely only "log" the issue rather than take proactive action. We recommend contacting customer service directly to explain that the order raises safety concerns and request that it be canceled.
Q: Can delivery drivers refuse these types of orders?
A: Of course. Accepting orders is a delivery driver’s right, not an obligation. If you feel the risk is too high, just skip it.
Q: If a parent hires a delivery driver to pick up or drop off their child and an accident occurs, who is liable?
A: Currently, there are no legal regulations governing this in Taiwan. If an accident occurs, you could face civil liability or even criminal charges. We advise parents not to take this risk.
Conclusion
The biggest takeaway for me from the news about Chinese parents paying delivery drivers a monthly fee to take their children to school is that while the scope of delivery platforms’ services is constantly expanding, regulatory mechanisms are completely failing to keep up.
For those of us in Taiwan, this is not yet a concern. However, gaining an understanding of the issue and giving it some thought in advance is essential for the healthy development of the industry as a whole.
If you’re a food delivery driver and come across this kind of unusual order, my advice is simple: safety first—don’t accept orders you’re unsure about. We do this job to make money, not to take on unnecessary risks.