SETC introduced a ‘Same Day Delivery’ initiative in the country named 7 dot C (7◦C)

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 8am 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 headquarters. 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,”

The courier service will be very secure and there will be restrictions on the type of goods that can be transported by bus, say the SETC authorities. All items which are restricted for transportation by flight will be barred for the service too. All the goods will be properly scanned before being transported.

“For us, passenger safety is of paramount importance,” said sources.At present, the SETC has a total of 959 routes in which the courier service is expected to be introduced.The SETC earns nearly Rs. 1 crore per day as revenue and this has witnessed an increase of 35 per cent when compared to previous years.

Officials feel this trend will continue after the introduction of courier service