TransLink to pilot secure online delivery boxes at SkyTrain stations

Smart lockers are coming to SkyTrain stations as the transit authority explores new services to offer customers.

TransLink announced Tuesday that it has selected PigeonBox, a smart locker service, as the first winner of its open call for customer service innovations.

Beginning this spring, Vancouverites can have deliveries sent to lockers at three SkyTrain stations: Joyce-Collingwood, Stadium-Chinatown,

and Commercial-Broadway.

“We are always looking at creative ways to utilize our transit spaces” TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said in a news release.

“Having secure lockers for pickups at transit stations will reduce unnecessary trips and simplify the lives of our customers.”

Police in B.C. warn residents about package thieves often, especially over the holidays, as direct-to-doorstep orders spike and direct-from-doorstep thefts increase as a result. Suggestions to deter such criminals include choosing a delivery spot that’s not visible from the street, requiring a signature for delivery, or having packages sent to a friend or neighbour likely to be home during the day.

“The PigeonBox dream is to make every online delivery experience as seamless as possible,” said PigeonBox CEO Seunghwan Son.

“We’ve built our smart lockers for those who want to protect their online orders and pick up their packages with ease. When we first launched PigeonBox, our customers told us they wanted to see us grow and expand at our transit stations. We are excited to finally launch this partnership with TransLink.”

Rather than having items shipped to their home, customers can sign up for the service, then use the PigeonBox address as their mailing address when making an online purchase.

Once the order is delivered, PigeonBox will send the customer a locker number and access code, and they can visit that SkyTrain station to retrieve their package.

Admittedly, leaving one’s home to pick up a package sounds a lot like the exact opposite of online shopping, but one imagines Vancouverites will still find this service useful.

We’ll know in the spring of 2021. The pilot project will last one year, after which time TransLink will continue and expand the service if it proves popular.