The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) introduced a first-of-its kind ‘Same Day Delivery’ initiative in the country, which commenced its operations recently.
According to sources, one can send and receive important documents and small packages in all major cities of Tamil Nadu, at a minimum cost of Rs 7.
The SETC launched its courier service initiative 7◦C (read as Seven dot C) recently in the State. Through this service, one can send documents and small packages in SETC buses.
Speaking to City Express, G Ramesh, Project Manager of the initiative said, “We started this courier service on the basis of a ‘counter booking and counter delivery’ system. If you book a letter or small package at a counter in Chennai to another city, for instance Trichy, the recipient will get it the very same day or the next morning”.
He added, “In locations such as Bangalore, Vellore, Salem, Tiiruchy and Erode, letters or small packages can be sent and delivered the same day. But, one must ensure that the letter or the package is booked before 8 am approximately.”
“In exceptional cases, we will hold back the letter or package for a maximum of one day for the recipient to collect it,” he adds.
“At present we have 11 booking and delivery counters in cities such as Chennai, Salem, Tiruchy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Vellore, Karur, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and one counter at Bangalore. In Chennai, apart from the Koyambedu booking counter, we also opened a new counter at Broadway bus terminus recently”.
The Koyambedu booking counter is the only counter which operates 24/7 and the other counters work up to 12 hours.
“We are now focusing on covering all district head quarters. We also open counters depending upon connectivity and requirements in the districts additionally. We are in no way connected to the Postal Department. This project is unique because the charges for sending letters and packages will be based only on weight and not the distance, as in the case of other courier services.” he added.
It may be noted that differently-abled and ex-servicemen can avail a concession of 25 percent in the booking charges.
Also for students, for sending books up to 7 kg, one can avail a concession of `16.
The only condition is when one sends small packages, the contents must be showed to the officials at the booking counter in order to ensure it does not contain hazardous material, and while booking and receiving the letters and packages, both the sender and recipient must show a valid ID proof,” he added.
K Nagarajan, a medical representative, said, “During an emergency at my work place, I was asked to send some important items. The courier charges and time taken for the process were appalling. When I came to know about this service, I immediately approached them. The parcel was received at the other end, very quickly”.