François Eveno is delighted: he has just saved “15 euros or a little more” on his Montpellier-Paris trip which cost him 50, just by carrying a light sealed tote bag, he explains to AFP on the platform of the Gare de Lyon, in Paris.
Inside, we see dark-colored fanny packs, entrusted by a trader in the South. François Eveno used WePost, a platform which connects SNCF travelers and traders or individuals who want to deliver one or more packages.
A WePost employee brought him the goods at Montpellier station and Mr. Eveno is preparing to drop them off at a relay station near the station.
“It sometimes happens to me that it fully reimburses my ticket”enthuses the 22-year-old student.
Merchants use WePost because the company offers them, via train, a less carbon-intensive delivery solution than road or maritime transport, Sophie Brette, co-founder of the company, explains to AFP.
WePost “is not cheaper (than other logisticians, Editor’s note) but what appeals is the eco-responsibility, we are zero carbon”she says.
For individuals who entrust their parcel, the interest lies above all in the speed of the service.
“These are often identity documents, keys”, small light things forgotten at home or in the hotel, which must be sent quickly, says the co-founder. Otherwise “not being able to feed your cat” or not having a costume “tailor-made to wear at the Cannes Film Festival”forgotten at home, she laughs.
Precariousness of students
The concept germinated during the Covid pandemic.
Bruno Hameurt, who then worked in events, was struck by two things during the pandemic: the rapid development of online sales and the growing precariousness of students.
Why not absorb these parcel volumes by having them travel by train, while paying for travelers who need to make ends meet?
He then founded WePost with Ms. Brette at the end of 2020. The application was released “one year later” and, in 2023, the company signs the first partnerships with merchants, she rewinds.
Today, the start-up has 30,000 travelers registered on its platform and aims to have 200,000 packages delivered in 2024. It is also eyeing the Swiss and Belgian markets.
And what about security?
Traders “are identified (customer account opening, IBAN, Kbis)” and the identity documents of individual senders and travelers authenticated using a third-party service, indicates WePost.
Packages entrusted by individuals (10% of packages transported) are packaged in a “transparent or open envelope” allowing you to see the content, depending on the platform. All packages are identified and tracked using a QR code and merchant packages – tote bags – are sealed to avoid any subsequent additions.
WePost reminds that “the project was presented to SNCF Voyageurs risk prevention” And “encourages travelers to refuse until the last minute if there is the slightest doubt”.
“We have simply ensured that the transport conditions of this service are compatible with our safety instructions”declared the SNCF to AFP.
Alain Lefebvre, head of the legal and litigation affairs office at the general directorate of customs, however, calls for “vigilance” and at “common sense”: “the holder of goods is responsible for them” and, in the event of an offense (tobacco, narcotics, counterfeiting, etc.), he is exposed to the penalties incurred.
François Eveno, “not worried at all”has just dropped off his package at the relay. “I will do it again”he concludes.
