Vienna trials tram passenger parcel delivery

Wiener Linien, the transport operator in the Austrian capital, has teamed up with the city council (that has provided the Öffi-Packerl app). The aim is traffic reduction by limiting the need for multiple journeys by parcel delivery vans by providing an environmentally-friendly alternative. Three solar-powered parcel boxes have been placed at Kagran on lines 25/26, at Konstanziagasse on line 25 and at Hausfeldstrasse on line 26 in the city’s northern suburbs. From the end of May for an eight-week period the 150 selected trial passengers can use the app to register their journey. Parcels scheduled for the same route can be collected using a QR code to open the parcel box. The parcels are then carried from one collection point to the next, where they are left for their recipients to collect. The packages can be no longer than 500mm on the longest side, and weigh no more than 5kg. 

 

The trial is based on a 2021 feasibility study that identified 90% of residents were willing to pick up their parcels at the nearest tram stop, and 65% would be willing to deliver other parcels as part of their public transport journey. The decision on the location of parcel boxes was based on analysis of passenger flows. 

 

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action through the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). The 150 volunteer members of the public have been rewarded with vouchers.