OREANDA-NEWS. Starting now, customers in Berlin and Hamburg can use the Postbus for urgent parcel deliveries between the two cities. Deutsche Post DHL Group is currently testing a service that will give the company another customer-friendly dispatch solution in addition to traditional parcel shipping and its DHL courier service: "Postbus Courier", same-day delivery via its own long-distance bus network. The new offer is available for both private users as well as smaller business customers. Postbus is the first long-distance bus travel provider in Germany that also offers parcel transport in addition to its passenger service.

"Postbus Courier is a new same-day delivery option that gives our customers another choice, using our intercity bus network for shipping particularly urgent items. Berlin and Hamburg are the first cities offering the new service but we are currently considering others for next year", said Achim Dünnwald, current CEO of Mail Communication at Deutsche Post and designated head of DHL Parcel.

The way Postbus Courier functions is quite simple: First, customers print out the shipping documents they filled out onscreen and take them together with their parcel(s) to the Postbus Courier service point at the main omnibus station in Berlin or Hamburg. There, they hand over their parcels to the service staff member, who then places the item in a bag, seals it and stows the bag securely in the Postbus. These latter steps protect the parcels from damage and theft during transport. Recipients can personally pick up items on the same day at the arrival destination or have third-persons collect the items after proving their legitimacy through appropriate identification or providing the right parcel TAN.

During its introductory phase, the Postbus Courier service will cost 20 EUR and must be paid for in cash at the parcel drop-off location at the service point.

Same-day parcel transport using Postbus Courier will be offered once per day (Monday to Friday) on every line during the introductory phase. Departure and arrival times and the different drop-off and collection periods are listed in the attached overview. The general terms of conditions of DHL Paket/Express (national) apply with one restriction: Parcels can be no larger than the size of Packset L, i.e. 45.0 x 35.0 x 20.0 cm. Maximum weight is ten kilograms. Roll-shaped formats are allowed. Animals, explosive/hazardous materials or perishable goods are not permitted.