An Post has launched a new pickup service for customers in Galway in the Republic of Ireland to enable customers who miss a delivery to pick up their item at their nearest post office.
With this service, postal operatives can leave a docket-in-box (DIB) slip for the customer, directing them to their local post office to collect their item. The new service is expected to benefit Galway customers by removing the potential hassle of a journey to the city delivery service unit (DSU) and providing more delivery options. The service will be particularly useful to An Post’s online shoppers. The move is also intended to advance An Post’s sustainability program by reducing handling and road journeys.
Previously, Galway customers who missed a parcel or package had to travel to the city’s DSU in North Business Park on Tuam Road. The area is not currently serviced by public transport and is often heavily congested by traffic. An Post identified 12 post offices in the greater city area, including the city general post office (GPO) in Eglinton Street, where a missed delivery can now be picked up. The relevant post offices are Barna, Bohermore, Claregalway, Clarinbridge, Eglinton Street, Father Griffin Road, Mervue, Newcastle, Oranmore, Renmore, Salthill and Seamus Quirke Road.
Hildegarde Naughton, Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said, “This is a very welcome development for Galway and demonstrates once again the importance of a high-value and high-quality post-office network to people across the county, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. I am sure this news will be greeted with open arms by those receiving important mail and parcels through An Post as we now eliminate an unnecessary journey across our bustling city of Galway for families and businesses. This funding will help bring greater sustainability and certainty for postmasters in County Galway, allowing them time to take advantage of the opportunities e-commerce can bring and to grow their business.”
Seona O’Fegan, Barna’s postmistress, said, “It’s a very welcome service. Previously if a customer in the Barna area missed a delivery, they would have to travel across Galway city, which, if they’re lucky, would take up to an hour and a half. As well as being more convenient, the pickup service is bringing more people into post offices. We’re getting the opportunity to meet new people and they’re learning about the other services we offer.”