DPD Germany calls for “privileged” parking access for delivery vans on peak days

As DPD Germany gears up for what it believes will be a record peak season, the company is calling on “municipalities to provide privileged access to municipal parking areas” for delivery vans.

In a statement posted on the DPD website, Boris Winkelmann, CEO of DPD Germany, said: “During the Christmas season, in particular, parcel services provide deliveries of essential goods to merchants and residents in the inner city.

“The increased infrastructure importance of reliable goods supplies is reflected by a succession of new records in terms of parcel volumes. The municipalities therefore need to become much more closely involved in finding constructive solutions than they have so far been. For example, reserved parking areas for delivery vehicles could make a major contribution to reducing the pressure created by delivery operations.”

To give an idea of the kind of “pressure” that can build up – DPD said that on the peak days before Christmas the company’s drivers collectively deliver more than 300,000 parcels an hour. And this year the pressure will be bigger than every. The company said: “Last year, DPD already transported more parcels than ever before, and compared to the Christmas of 2016 the company expects further growth of 15%. On peak days in the run-up to Christmas DPD carries up to 50% more parcels than on an average day during the year.”

DPD’s fellow couriers are also seeing their volumes increase. DPD added: “Germany’s Parcel and Express Logistics Association (BIEK) reports that last year the country’s parcel services for the first time transported more than 3 billion parcels. BIEK estimates indicate that the 4 billion mark will be exceeded as early as the year 2021.”