UPS Will Haul Holiday Packages by Bike
When it comes to the parcel delivery business -- a field I was once involved in -- a healthy business involves a tricky balancing act between fuel costs, volume and friendliness. During the holidays, everything you thought you knew goes out the window. That's why it's so cool to see UPS trying something new to green their model, reduce costs, and cut down on some of the stress that can turn formerly friendly delivery people into zombie-like holiday haters.UPS is hiring seasonal bike delivery people in Washington, Oregon, and California to take on some of the package load and cut down on emissions. Brown is providing employees with bikes, hand warmers, and a 200lb bike trailer -- asking that they deliver around 25-50 packages a day. That's compared to an average 150 stops for the typical brown van. On the upside for UPS, these bikers will save tons of gas money and parking tickets for the company.
"For every three bikes we use for deliveries, we save an average of 17 gallons of fuel per day (compared to one truck). That's about $50 in savings." Across the entire district, Grant says for every three bikes used during the holiday season, UPS will save $38,000 in vehicle operation and upkeep costs."
[via Treehugger]
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