Posties pitch for Pole Position in Eco-Driver Challenge
1 October 2013
This Challenge gives Ireland’s top postal drivers the opportunity to compete against their European peers in highly controlled, competitive conditions. Each two-person team comprising driver and mails delivery manager is put through a rigorous theory test and simulated postal delivery routes, with a few real-life customer scenarios added to the mix. The challenge also includes car handling and agility tests. The team which finishes quickest while using the least fuel wins.
Top drivers from seven European postal operators are competing for the title of IPC Driver 2013. The event raises environmental awareness at grassroots level within the IPC Sustainability Programme, of which An Post is an active participant.
Speaking at the event, An Post Chief Executive, Donal Connell said that while the event is full of camaraderie and sporting competition, it does underline an important area of focus for all international postal operators – Cost, Safety and Environment. “An Post drivers receive training in Advance Driving Skills and Eco-awareness; this challenge gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills in a highly competitive environment which also encompasses quality customer service. As well as helping us reach our carbon emissions targets, this approach, along with a structured maintenance programme, is saving us money”.
The participating postal operators are:
- An Post, Ireland
- Bpost, Belgium
- Correos y Telégrafos, Spain
- Itella, Finland
- Posten Norge, Norway
- PostNL, Netherlands
- PostNord, Denmark/Sweden
An Post is partnering with the International Post Corporation (IPC) to host this year’s Drivers’ Challenge. IPC global members are on course to reach their target of reducing carbon output by 20 per cent by 2020. The organisation will issue a sector-wide Sustainability Report next month.
