UPS opts for bikes and walkers to deliver during London Olympics
UPS is trying out bicycles and walkers within its London delivery operations, to help beat delays from traffic congestion and route restrictions during the Olympics. The company said it is trialling five bicycles and 70 walkers delivering to postcodes impacted by the London 2012 Games, operating out of temporary staging areas.
It said the alternative fleet was a key pillar of its plans for maintaining service during the Games, and that in the first few days of the event, deliveries have been running smoothly. Delays are being caused in normal operations within London with the city offering a priority transport network for Games participants, including VIP lanes on roads.
UPS, which is the official logistics partner for the Games, said it ran successful trials earlier this year.
Following the close of the Olympics in London, the company is expecting to make use of more bicycles and walkers on a permanent basis.
A spokesperson said London 2012 was acting as a testing ground for new innovations and techniques, but told Post&Parcel that the scale of bicycle and walker use after the Games finishes was yet to be determined.
Service
Cindy Miller, managing director of UPS UK, Ireland & Nordics, said bicycles were actually a foundation to the UPS business over 100 years ago, when a few messenger boys began the company that ultimately became UPS.
“Even for those areas where bicycle access is restricted, we also have a fleet of secure delivery trolleys that our walkers can use to make deliveries in central London. As a result, our operations are running exactly as planned to service businesses throughout the city,” said Miller.
UPS is also using 10 dual-fuel biomethane powered vehicles during the London 2012 Olympics, stationed at its site in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Its green fleet in the UK also includes five electric vehicles.
The company is also using the River Thames for transporting items to the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
The alternative transport options come as part of the company’s commitment to its operations for London 2012 being carbon neutral. UPS is expecting to handle 30m items during the even running this month and next, including 1m pieces of sporting equipment.
