Belgian postal operator bpost has launched a new app called bringr that allows users to find a driver in the Antwerp area to deliver goods anywhere in Belgium. This could be anything from a second-hand microwave, keys left at a friend’s house or a piece of furniture that is too big for a standard car.
Drivers offering their services through bringr have no contractual links with bpost but are asked to agree to certain rules and regulations. Pick-up locations outside the Antwerp area are not possible during the initial trial phase but the service will be expanded to additional cities if successful.
The price for each delivery is calculated by the app based on parameters entered by the customer such as weight and distance. If agreed, the driver then collects the package and proceeds to the pre-agreed drop-off location. The customer can follow the driver’s progress in real time through the app and will be sent a notification once the delivery has been completed. At this point the payment is made electronically via the app and the user is asked to rate the driver based on their performance.
Koen Van Gerven, CEO of bpost, said, “The digitization of our world represents threats but offers opportunities at the same time. We don’t have to fear digitization but embrace it and use it to make bpost a stronger company. This is what innovation is about and bringr is a good example of this.”
June 20, 2016
