Ningbo explores rural express delivery methods

As demand for express delivery services in rural areas surges, Ningbo in Zhejiang province has figured out a new way to use buses to transport packages in and out of villages. 

"With the widespread use of smartphones, online shopping has become popular among villagers, who buy everything from daily necessities to large items like televisions and refrigerators, resulting in influx of packages to rural areas," said Chen Xuan, an officer of the Ninghai Postal Administration.

Before the innovative transportation model was launched, express delivery services in villages were not equipped to meet the booming consumer demand.

"We had to drive at least half an hour to the distribution center in the town to pick up a package," said Feng Chaochao, a resident of Shantou village in Ninghai county.

The operating costs of a rural express delivery station is estimated at 50,000 yuan ($7,006), while the delivery volume is less than half of that in urban communities. The remote location of villages in mountainous areas also increases the delivery costs.

To tackle these problems, Ningbo has leveraged its bus transportation system that covers all villages around the city.

"We coordinate the efforts of different parties, including postal, transportation and express delivery companies," said an official of the Ningbo Postal Administration.

"Few passengers take the bus back to the village, so there’s plenty of space to bring packages back to the village," said Zhang Haibo, a bus driver in Xiangshan county.

Drivers would horn when they arrive at the postal service stations. Then, the station staff would come to pick up the packages. 

The shuttles between urban and rural areas have not only brought packages to villages, but also brought agricultural products to urban markets.

Wang Jinguo runs a dried bamboo shoot shop in Dalei village. Wang has cooperated with the local postal station to sell his products. "Instead of waiting for customers to come to the village, I can send the products to them via express. It will help increase sales by about 20,000 yuan annually."