Amazon (AMZN) plans to boost wages and other benefits for contract drivers through a $450 million investment this year in its delivery service partners (DSP) program, the company announced on Wednesday.

Amazon said the pay increases would start in mid-October, and that delivery associates will earn an average of $20.50 per hour or more plus benefits, once the changes are rolled out. Amazon also said it would offer a 401(k) plan and that DSPs will receive about $60 million over the first year to help small businesses 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:match employee contributions.

Launched in 2018, Amazon's DSP program allows companies to start with an investment of as small as $10,000 to own a network of up to 40 vans. The program has grown to 3,500 small businesses that together have 279,000 drivers.

The success of the program has reportedly helped reduce Amazon's reliance on other carriers, such as FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service while increasing the speed of deliveries. Amazon has invested about $8.9 billion in the program, which generated more than $45 billion in revenue.

Shares of Amazon climbed 1% in early trading on Wednesday as of 9:45 a.m. Eastern Ti🏅me, and were up close to 70% ☂year-to-date.