18 November 2020 - City depot for parcel delivery via cargo e-bikes was launched under name Depot.Bike for a pilot operation in November.
So far, seven logistic companies joined: DPD, DHL Express, Dachser, PPL, GLS, MessengerCZ, Rohlik.cz and DoDo, while four more are heading to start their e-bike based deliveries in January next year.
“We are very happy to be part of such a unique project. It helps ease Prague´s traffic and improves the city environment. This activity fits perfectly with our green strategy and our commitment to deliver in Prague, Ostrava and another 223 European cities with zero emission within five years. DPDgroup already operates 130 city depots and will open another 80 as a part of this commitment, too.”
Miloš Malaník, CEO DPD Czech Republic.
The idea of the city's bicycle depot is based on the need for a rapidly growing volume of delivery of consignments by transport companies during Covid-19 lockdown and the city administration's efforts to relieve public space, especially in the city center.
The City Council decided to implement the project in June this year, and the assignment was completed within 3 months. Depot location is in the very center of the city at Florenc subway station. Before, there was a private parking lot for approximately 30 cars. Entire place is nicely protected by a bridge body against direct weather influences. The depot also offers heated facilities for couriers, including kitchenette and showers, universal charging station for e-bikes and service station.
The pilot project is planned for 6 months and will be regularly evaluated. In the spring, it is planned to expand services with a logistics hub, equipped with automatic parcel lockers and pick-up points. Doors will be open for anyone interested in the world of cargo e-bikes. Currently over 10 different types of this e-bike category can be seen in operations.
If the operation will be rated positively by logistics companies and the City Hall, the city management has already announced that it will consider introducing regulation of the entry of delivery trucks into the historical center of Prague.
About DPD CZ
DPD CZ is part of DPDgroup, the largest parcel delivery network in Europe. With its 1,500 couriers and 1,250 Pickup points, DPD is the leading carier in the Czech Republic. As the only carrier on the market, it offers the Predict service - the customer knows in advance when the parcel is delivered within a one-hour timeslot. At the same time, in the DPD app you can change the time or place of the delivery according to your preferences. As part of DPDgroup, DPD uses over 46,000 Pickup points worldwide and delivers to 230 countries around the world. DPDgroup is a completely CO2 neutral company. It constantly reduces its carbon footprint during the parcel delivery and depots operation and fully compensates all its emissions through various environmental projects, part of the DrivingChange programme.
