New micro-depot at Berlin Alexanderplatz station

Smart City | DB (German railways) has opened a new micro-depot directly in Berlin Alexanderplatz station. The multi-user depot is located in a central inner-city location, is designed functionally and in line with requirements, and has easy access. The sustainable logistics system promotes partnership-based and efficient use of the available space, and is open to interested logistics companies and shippers. The kick-off will be with the two logistics partners DPD and CityLog.

The aim is to offer the logistics partners a solution for reducing emissions of air pollutants, greenhouse gases (CO2), particulate matter and noise. The depot also contributes to alleviating the cost and productivity problem along the last mile, thanks to the fact that it is open to all service providers and is designed to improve traffic flows and strengthen intermodal transport.

The aim of the micro-depot at the “Alex”, as it is known in Berlin, is to drive forward the area's development. This is achieved by enabling the shipments arriving at the depot via established logistics networks to be distributed individually to the surrounding districts by cargo bikes and small, low-CO2 vehicles via the micro-depot. In addition to using its own DB space directly in the S-Bahn arches of Alexanderplatz station, the power supply is supported by solar panels on the sunny side of the building as an additional source of electricity.

The micro-depot functions as a drop-off and transhipment point for DPD. In the morning, parcels are delivered by an e-van and then sorted into the cargo bike boxes. The subsequent delivery is made with two electrically-powered cargo bikes from the Berlin-based manufacturer ONO. Initially DPD will start with a daily volume of around 200 parcels, which will be delivered to the surrounding 10178 and 10179 postcode areas. However, the micro-depot offers potential for the addition of more cargo bikes in the future.