Correos launches door-to-door rail luggage delivery service

Spain’s Correos has launched a new door-to-door delivery service for railway passengers’ baggage. The “Puerta a Puerta” (Door to Door) service is targeted at passengers of trains run by state rail company Renfe, including long distance trains, the high-speed AVE and tourist trains.

Correos said it secured the contract with Renfe through a bidding process, winning the deal thanks to its experience, the extent of its delivery and retail networks and the public trust in its brand.

The service bills itself as providing convenience for travelers, in that they do not have to take luggage with them during a long journey.

Passengers can send up to three items of luggage for EUR 20 an item, with a 20% reduction for second and third suitcases. Customers can book the service up to 12 hours before the required collection, selecting various possible pick-up points including a certain address, a post office or a railway station.

They can also deposit luggage at any of Spain’s 2,400 post offices up to two hours before their train departs.

It is initially available for those passengers embarking at Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville and Cadiz, and going to any of more than 230 domestic destinations, including all of the major tourist hotspots.

Correos said 400 travelers used the service in the first month of operation, experiencing a “high degree of satisfaction”.

So far the postal service has handled 607 packages, including 541 conventional suitcase and 66 special deliveries.

The company said: “The provision of this new service for Renfe is another example of the progress of Correos under its diversification strategy, in opening up new lines of business as set out in the company’s 100-300-1.500 Action Plan, which aims to transform the company into the leading provider of physical communications, electronic communications and parcel services in the Spanish market.”