Stellar Lifestyle, the business arm of SMRT Corp, and Singapore Post S08 have signed an MOU to use MRT trains for postal collection, in a bid to be more cost-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
Over a three-month trial period starting June 25, SingPost's "Mail Ambassadors" will use the Tampines and Raffles Place MRT stations to bring postal items to SingPost’s sorting facility near Paya Lebar MRT station daily. They will be using the trains between 11am and 2pm.
The use of MRT trains by SingPost will be on top of its existing fleet of delivery vehicles.
"As this is only a pilot study, SingPost will be paying normal fare-rates like any passenger. We will assess the market demand for this after the pilot," says a Stellar Lifestyle spokesperson in response to a question if the "ambassadors" will ride for free.
Tony Heng, president of Stellar Lifestyle, describes this trial as a way to promote "a more sustainable way of living, working and operating businesses."
"We remain on the lookout for new opportunities with like-minded companies to not only enrich the commuter experience but drive positive change or impact to the communities we serve," he adds.
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CEO of Singpost Singapore Shahrin Abdol Salam says the partners are leveraging on their respective expertise within the transportation ecosystem to explore solutions in facilitating urban logistics in Singapore.
"Furthermore, the extension of our collaboration with Stellar Lifestyle will continue to bring convenience to consumers and SMEs by strategically situating our service points along key transportation nodes across Singapore.
"The extensive rail network is highly accessible hence allowing us to bring our services closer to the community, seamlessly integrating into their daily routines," he adds.
SingPost and Stellar Lifestyle plan to expand the trial to more train stations across all other SMRT-operated lines, should the pilot be successful.
