Deutsche Post DHL Group trial same-day delivery via its bus network
Deutsche Post DHL Group is currently testing “Postbus Courier”, a service offering urgent parcel delivery through its own long-distance bus network, Postbus.
The service is being tested between Berlin and Hamburg to start off with other cities being considered for next year.
The new offer is available for both private users as well as smaller business customers and will give the company another customer-friendly dispatch solution in addition to traditional parcel shipping and its DHL courier service.
“Postbus Courier is a new same-day delivery option that gives our customers another choice, using our intercity bus network for shipping particularly urgent items”, said Achim Dünnwald, current CEO of Mail Communication at Deutsche Post and designated head of DHL Parcel.
The way Postbus Courier functions is quite simple: First, customers print out the shipping documents they filled out onscreen and take them together with their parcel(s) to the Postbus Courier service point at the main omnibus station in Berlin or Hamburg. There, they hand over their parcels to the service staff member, who then places the item in a bag, seals it and stows the bag securely in the Postbus. These latter steps protect the parcels from damage and theft during transport. Recipients can personally pick up items on the same day at the arrival destination or have third-persons collect the items after proving their legitimacy through appropriate identification or providing the right parcel TAN.
During its introductory phase, the Postbus Courier service will cost 20 EUR and must be paid for in cash at the parcel drop-off location at the service point.
Same-day parcel transport using Postbus Courier will be offered once per day (Monday to Friday) on every line during the introductory phase.
