With app, freelance couriers popping up all over  

顺路快递实现“人人都是快递员” 业内斥其搅局

据中国之声《新闻纵横》报道，上班路上，回家途中，您可以做点什么呢？对于一个新的群体来说，他们有可能会顺路给您送个快递。最近，许多城市一种新型的快递模式开始流行。您只需下载一款名为“人人快递”的手机应用，再通过一个手机APP软件认证后，您就有可能变身成为一名“自由快递员”。 [查看全文]

(ECNS) – A smartphone app enabling anyone to become a freelance deliveryman has become popular in some cities in China, China National Radio reported.

Renrenkuaidi, developed by a technology firm based in Sichuan, allows users to publish a delivery order with detailed address information, and other users can take the order on their way somewhere and make a little extra money.

The innovative delivery mode has sparked different opinions from China's delivery industry. Xu Yong, chief advisor at China Express & Logistics Consulting, said the app company was in fact engaged in illegal commerce.

Even though it calls itself a social platform, the app has engaged in deliveries and made profits from it, which is actually a delivery operation without a license, Xu said.

Also, without security inspection or supervision, hazardous items may be transported in the packages and lead to other consequences, Xu added.

But Gong Guzhao, chief editor of the postal department at Horizon Research Consultancy Group, said the new delivery mode with one-on-one customized service is an innovative approach with benefits for the market. "It has offered a new means to deal with 'the last mile' problem in delivery," he said.

Xie Qin, president of the company behind the app, which was launched last March, said the app was downloaded about 5 million times and has over 1.5 million freelance couriers across the country.

A freelance courier is only allowed to take orders with a value of equivalent to his credit and no more than the money in his bankcard attached to the app, Xie added.

An order usually offers 15 to 30 yuan for the courier, and the app takes about 20 percent in commission.

A female freelance courier surnamed Zhao in Beijing said she is just making pocket money from the job.