The best food delivery system is 125 years old, and it still works

Deliveroo, Foodora, Nestor, Uber Eats ... They didn't invent anything. The dabbawalas, deliverers on foot and by bicycle, serve the mazes of the gigantic Indian city of Bombay every day . For 125 years, for the modest sum of 800 rupees (around 11 euros), Indians have been able to have their meals delivered to their workplace.

At the start of the morning, the dabbawalas collect their customers' lunch boxes, to deliver them to them a few hours later. Here, no restaurant dishes but home-cooked meals. And no app, only a service based on trust.

eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp eDeliveryApp

“ We've known [our dabbawala] for so long that we know he's going to do a good job, ” says a client.

All the quality of this old-fashioned service is based on a precise organization. A 2010 study by Harvard Business School ranked this delivery system “Six Stigma,” meaning that dabbawalas make less than 2.4 errors per million transactions. To sum up, with 200,000 customers to deliver each day, only 400 meal deliveries are delayed or missing in a year.

Punctuality is crucial in the organization, and to do this, delays exceeding the delivery time are always foreseen, to allow the dabbawalas to improvise, if a lunchbox is missing or if the traffic is too dense. A second delivery man is always left on the sidelines to be able to return to action if a dabbawala is delayed.

Silicon Valley is inspired by Indian lunchbox delivery men

American start-ups are looking very closely at the almost infallible organization of these non-computerized delivery systems. To be successful in India, these apps must be inspired by how dabbawalas work. Even though the country is turning a corner where new technologies are slowly taking hold, there is more to it than attractive design and discounted prices. The construction of a solid business plan and a supply chain adapted to the structure of the city must take precedence.

The co-founder and CEO of the Runnr application also confides that he asked for their expertise. He even hires some dabbawalas for his home meal delivery start-up. But it is difficult to overshadow these networks which have been forged on trust, giving the profession of dabbawala a form of prestige. Especially since this unskilled labor is decently paid (about 12,000 rupees per month, or 165 euros).

However, some are thinking of modernizing the dabbawalas, via an application to make journeys profitable. But many are opposed to it, or consider the project impossible because of the part of spirituality almost intrinsic to the profession. Delivery men belong almost exclusively to the Vakari community, who worship the Hindu god Vithala, whose teaching is that donating food is one of the best things one can do. “We have a golden chance to walk the path of spirituality while earning our bread, ” explains Subodh Sangle, coordinator of the Bombay dabbawalas. If they were to use new technologies, they would risk losing everything that makes them unique.