DHL is introducing a new service involving neighborhood pickup spots for packages. bring.BUDDY is a new program that will be tested soon using people living in urban areas to deliver packages along routes they would be traveling anyway.
Created by a team of university students, bring.BUDDY uses consumers moving through a city each day, whether by bike, public transport, or on foot. Interested participants indicate their travel route for the day using a downloadable smartphone app, then a text message lets them know of any packages needing delivery along the way. When there is such a package, the participant picks it up from a local kiosk where it's waiting and delivers it as they go about their daily schedule. In exchange for the delivery, the program rewards them with points, not cash.
DHL will reportedly begin this pilot test using bring.BUDDY and its network of DHL Packstation kiosks later this year. As with any service like this, trust issues will have to be overcome. Nevertheless, the project's long term goal is to make dedicated delivery vehicles obsolete, at least in urban areas.
Its a new way for you to get paid for traveling across town,
(which you were going to do anyway).
Its kind of like a cross country courier, which I wrote about previously. A company will pay you to carry their package with you. But instead of going overseas, you're going across town.
Also, I never found out what the points can be redeemed for.
While trying to cut down on smog in urban areas.
Save wear and tear on the company vehicles.
Cut down on gas consumption.
And eliminate the possibility of vehicle accidents.
Are all noble endeavors.
If DHL offers cheesy cheap trinkets it will never go.
This program may work if people can redeem their points for cash.
How the points can be redeemed will say alot about how serious
DHL is about making this program work.
stay tuned....
Read the Cross Country Courier Post Here
