We increasingly order more parcels online. This means thousands of delivery vans driving through residential neighborhoods. This causes congestion and unsafe situations, especially in narrow streets. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht have therefore made agreements together with parcel carriers and parcel pickup points to better organize deliveries. The parties signed a covenant for this on February 13.
In Amsterdam alone, various delivery services deliver more than 125,000 parcels daily. About 80 percent of these are delivered to peoples homes. Delivery vans stop about 80,000 times on the street.
Joint use of parcel points
The parties have agreed that delivery services will henceforth use each others parcel points and parcel lockers. This creates more locations within walking or cycling distance where residents can pick up their parcels. This makes it more attractive to have a parcel delivered there instead of at home. This results in fewer vans driving through the neighborhood, reduces emissions, and allows delivery services to work more efficiently and save costs.
New locations include public transport hubs, bicycle parking facilities, shops, community centers, and sports facilities.
A parcel point nearby by 2028
In the coming period, the parties will open new parcel points and collaborate per city on a joint approach. The goal is that by 2028 every resident of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague has a parcel point or parcel locker close to home. This will make delivery cleaner, safer, and more efficient.
The covenant is signed by PostNL, DHL, DPD, Budbee, Vinted Go, De Buren, and ViaTim, together with the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.