As Gas Prices Rise, Atlanta’s Eco-Courier Lowers Rates
Green Express Cuts Rates on Next Day Delivery to $12 Flat Rate
ATLANTA, GA-- While most delivery services are raising their prices to survive the rising gas prices, one Atlanta courier service is doing just the opposite. Green Express, Atlanta’s only eco-friendly courier service, announced today that the company was lowering its next day delivery fee to a flat rate of $12.
Effective May 15, Green Express will charge $12 for next day delivery rate to for all online customers in the four major Metro Atlanta counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett. No fuel surcharges will be added to the next day fee.
“Other delivery services are suffering from the current escalating gas prices, but because of our eco-friendly business model and the fuel-efficient electric delivery vehicles we use, Green Express is not,” said Jay Holgate, managing partner of Green Express. “Instead of charging more or adding in a fuel surcharge, we are reducing our rates to pass along our savings to our customers.”
“With our online ordering system, satellite offices, GPS tracking technology and other green business practices, we are able to handle the logistics of 24 hour package delivery for Atlanta businesses, saving them money and saving fuel at the same time,” he added.
In 2007, Green Express became the first courier company in America to switch to hybrid vehicles. The eco-friendly courier service uses green Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles to make deliveries in metro Atlanta. The hybrid electric vehicles average 47 miles to the gallon and emit 80% less toxins in the air than typical delivery vehicles.
"We knew high gas prices were coming two years ago," said Holgate, “so we changed our business model and technology platform to be competitive in this type of market. As a result, our fuel usage is down by 50%.”
“With gas prices exceeding $3.50 a gallon, it's basically cost prohibitive for a person to drive a package across town. People are starting to realize this and calling couriers to make the delivery," he said. In the past year, Green Express has added more than 200 new green friendly customers who realized the advantages of using an eco-friendly courier service.
“Atlanta businesses right now are feeling the pressure of higher fuel prices, and Green Express is one of the few companies in position to help out,” said Holgate. “When economic times are challenging, people tend to get more price conscious. Our $12 next day rate makes us extremely competitive in the next day delivery market.”
“Environmentally responsible companies prefer Green Express’ hybrid electric cars to the diesel based vehicles used by the national delivery companies," said Holgate. “By using our eco-friendly business for package delivery, businesses not only save on fuel costs but they also have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping reduce gasoline emissions. According to the Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta experienced 49 days of smog alerts in 2007 which are issued to the public about unhealthy air quality.
Gas prices are hurting all delivery companies, but the Green Express logistics chain is efficient for next day delivery with multiple driver drop sites. Green customers get immediate e-mail notification when the package is dropped with a signature name. Some customers get a phone call letting them know their package has been delivered. The next day deliveries include Monday through Friday deliveries only.
Many businesses prefer the courier delivery system to a national overnight delivery company because couriers typically don't have as many touch points, no conveyor belts and significantly less chance of a package being lost. “Green Express is perfect for those customers who are price sensitive and want more hands-on customer service than a national delivery company can provide,” said Holgate.
Next day delivery is one more innovative move for Green Express. Courier companies typically deliver packages same day; within a one to three hour delivery time frame. Same day delivery is the core component of the courier system.
Green Express was named Innovative Company of the Year in 2007 by the Clean Air Campaign of Georgia. The mission of The Clean Air Campaign is to motivate Georgians to take action to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. Green Express uses hybrid cars for deliveries, GPS for more efficient routing, and e-billing to reduce paper consumption. In 2008, the company moved to satellite offices to reduce wasted resources involved with drive time. The company employees have laptops and are networked and communicate primarily through email.
Green Express plans to offer more eco-friendly business solutions as the market demands in 2008. For more info on Green Express, visit www.GreenDelivers.com
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For more information, contact Jay Holgate at 404-597-4247