Topeka DoorDash driver impacted by rising gas prices, looks elsewhere for income

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Many continue to feel the pinch in their wallets as gas prices surge to almost $4 across Kansas.

Those who work for Uber, Instacart or other delivery apps are increasingly feeling the effects.

Topeka DoorDash driver Jeremy Epperson canceled a trip over the rising gas prices.

Epperson has been driving for DoorDash for almost four years, but this is the first time he’s been seriously impacted by rising gas prices.

“I’ve had to put in double or triple work,” Epperson said. “Like, having to go out to midnight just to afford gas just to do it the next day.”

He’s even picking up other jobs.

“It’s very tiresome, very stressful, because I can’t play with my kid as much,” Epperson said.

The payment that once got him a full tank now only gets him half.

“It’s hard, it’s hard,” Epperson said. “It’s just really putting a strain on us because the gas prices keep on, like I blink, it’s up.”

As his family does their best to save, they’ve now canceled a future trip.

“We were gonna take a trip to Branson this year, but we had to cut that,” Epperson said. “I can’t really afford it. To go to Branson now because I’m having to pay $4 a gallon.”

He’s not the only one feeling it. He’s noticed a drop in customers as both gas and food prices climb. He also knows other people who have stopped working for delivery services like DoorDash and Uber.

“There is a significant amount less orders,” Epperson said.

When he started, he’d have orders roll in. Now, he sometimes waits up to two hours between orders.

It’s not just in Topeka, but even in larger markets like Kansas City, where Epperson stopped serving due to the decrease in customers.

“Basically, I’m gonna be, rather than making money, I’ll be taking a hit,” Epperson said.

Like so many others, Epperson and his family continue to wait for some sort of relief.