With app, freelance couriers popping up all over  

順路快遞實現“人人都是快遞員” 業內斥其攪局

據中國之聲《新聞縱橫》報道，上班路上，回家途中，您可以做點什么呢？對于一個新的群體來說，他們有可能會順路給您送個快遞。最近，許多城市一種新型的快遞模式開始流行。您只需下載一款名為“人人快遞”的手機應用，再通過一個手機APP軟件認證后，您就有可能變身成為一名“自由快遞員”。 [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.