'Parcel Motels' revolutionise how couriers operate

Irish courier firm Nightline have developed a new concept designed to allow customers greater freedom in when they collect and drop off packages.
The international courier has invested €5mto build 20 specifically designed locker units across Dublin, which will allow customers to pick up and leave packages for delivery when it is most convenient. Each unit, which contains 80 lockers, is available for access around the clock, starting from July.
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These new ‘Parcel Motels’ are expected to appeal to customers buying online, who are able to enter the local Nightline motel address as their delivery address rather than their own address. Customers will then receive a text message to their mobile phone when the consignment is ready for collection, and are able to pick up goods from a self-service terminal of their choice. The Parcel Motels are located at useful locations, such as petrol station forecourts, and convenience store car parks.
Nightline CEO John Tuohy introduced the scheme to mark the 20thanniversary of Nightline: “With the ever-increasing growth of the e-commerce market in Ireland, estimated to be worth €3.5bn, we know that Nightline Parcel Motel will become a recognisable and important part of online shopping for communities around the country.”
British courier Parcel2Go is also planning to utilise Nightline’s services, and believes that the concept will revolutionise the delivery industry:
“This represents a big step forward for the parcel delivery industry,” said Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go. “Nightline’s new service is set to make it quicker and simpler for certain customers to access delivery services, and that has to be applauded.”