Mathijs Oude Vrielink: is cargo hitching feasible in Noord-Brabant?

Transporting parcels to sparsely populated areas with passenger buses reduces the distances delivery services need to cover to just a few addresses. This saves them time and costs while reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Since passenger buses operate on a fixed schedule and regularly serve sparsely populated areas, there is often unused space available. By utilising this space to transport parcels, we can enhance transport efficiency. This is the essence of cargo hitching. 

What did the research teach me? 

The concept of 'cargo hitching' was completely new to me just a few months ago. Through my research, I learned that cargo hitching in Noord-Brabant with Arriva is not yet feasible. Arriva has indicated that their primary task is passenger transport, and carrying parcels could cause inconvenience and disruption to their passengers. Furthermore, cargo hitching is still a relatively unknown phenomenon. The first research on this was conducted in mid-2012, carried out by institutions such as Eindhoven University of Technology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, and Universiteit Twente. 

Conducting my research was a new experience. I learned to conduct in-depth analysis with hypotheses and to conduct a literature review. This made me aware of the importance of finding existing information and planning future research. I plan to use this approach for my thesis project next year.  

What is involved in cargo hitching? 

Cargo hitching involves various aspects, such as who handles the transfer of parcels at a bus stop, how parcels reach the end user after transfer, and how parcels can be safely transported from seller to buyer. Conducting cargo hitching requires attention to various aspects. While it may seem simple to transport parcels by passenger bus, in reality, various factors need to be considered, probably more than one would initially think. 

How did my research progress? 

I am proud of what I have achieved. Despite the tight schedule, I was able to conduct thorough research and write a solid report. During my research, I undertook various activities, including: 

• Interviewing a transport planner at Arriva who works on schedules. 

• Riding along on a service with an Arriva bus driver. 

• Carrying a parcel on the bus myself to see and experience how it goes. 

• Conducting surveys among passengers and people in the Tilburg area who order goods online. 

• Conducting extensive desk research. 

My advice to other students? 

I encourage others to use various research techniques that add value to their research, especially within the limited time available. While desk research is important, it must also be practical. That is why I enjoyed sitting with a parcel on the bus myself to experience the journey. This personal experience enriched my research and enabled me to report on it. 

Mathijs is a third-year  Logistics Management student at BUas.