InPost has announced a partnership with South Western Railway, Europe’s largest rail commuter network, to install automated ecommerce lockers at 40 stations across its rail network.
You might think that with government advice not to travel and to work from home if possible, that train stations aren’t the best move for InPost at the moment. However the reality is that train stations are at the heart of communities, generally accessible 24 hours a day, and often with short stay readily accessible car parking for those wishing to drop off or collect parcels. If you are a seller and wish to send parcels via InPost, they have partnered with a number of carriers and parcel consolidators through which you can purchase the service: InPost; Parcel2Go; Postage Supermarket; Interparcel; and Hermes.
“While the pandemic has had an understandable impact on rail services, the stations are in central locations meaning they are often the main hub for communities and towns. Partnering with a major operator in South Western Railway will allow consumers to access our lockers easily and conveniently to satisfy all their postal needs, particularly during these challenging times. InPost lockers provide consumers with a safe, contact-free solution to send and receive essential products while maintaining safe social-distancing.”
– Jason Tavaria, CEO, InPost
The first phase of the roll-out has now commenced and will see InPost deploy its collection and return lockers – which can be accessed 24/7 – at 14 stations within the Greater London region. InPost will then expand the roll-out to other major commuter hubs including Bracknell, Basingstoke and Woking.
Installing the lockers at rail stations will mean that even during the government’s Covid-19 lockdown, customers will be able to send and receive essential goods and products, contact-free, during this challenging time, strengthening the station’s role as the hub of the community.
Carrying more than 300 million passengers per year, South Western Railway is Europe’s busiest commuter service and operates services from its Central London terminus at London Waterloo to South West London. South Western Railway also provides suburban and regional services across Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, as well as regional services in Devon, Somerset, Berkshire and Wiltshire.
“Our stations sit at the heart of the communities we serve, and we want them to offer more than simply a place for customers to travel to and from. We have been delighted to work in partnership with InPost and oversee the installation of these new automated ecommerce lockers. They will provide our customers with a convenient and efficient way to send and receive parcels, including during the very testing times that we are currently living through.”
– Jerome Pacatte, Head of Stations, South Western Railway
Phase one stations for InPost lockers
- Raynes Park
- Barnes
- Strawberry Hill
- Mortlake
- Kew Bridge
- Chessington North
- Brentford
- Isleworth
- Tolworth
- Norbiton
- Stoneleigh
- Worcester Park
- Whitton
- Chiswick
