On-line shopping has been made easier for train passengers and local residents for many places in South East England from Cambridgeshire to West Sussex with the provision of InPost lockers at over 70 railway stations.

The latest stations where the highly popular automated parcel machines have been installed are at Huntingdon, Royston, Hadley Wood, South Merton, and Aldrington.

The advantage of the InPost lockers is that users don’t need to stay at home for a delivery, make arrangements with neighbours, collect during specific opening hours, or risk a parcel being purloined from their doorstep. To open an InPost locker, users simply scan a QR code that has been sent to their phone by InPost.

Users can also return items to over 150 retailers through the lockers. They need to print a label as InPost simply sends a QR code to the customer’s phone, which when it is scanned at the locker, the compartment will open for the customer to place their parcel inside.

To ensure that parcels stay safe and secure, the lockers are fitted with built-in cameras and canopies for weather protection.

71 stations now have InPost lockers, and because of their popularity, InPost is proposing to add more suitable locations on Govia Thameslink Railway’s network and to add more modular units at several stations that already them.

The locations of stations that have InPost lockers can be found online at https://inpost.co.uk/

GTR’s Commercial Director David Gornall said: “Demand for online shopping soared as a result of the pandemic and is only set to continue. With lockers currently at a range of our stations, from small to large, we’re looking forward to expanding these services across many others in 2023.

“InPost parcel lockers provide the ultimate convenience for customers to pick up, return, or send their parcels whilst commuting. It’s a quick and easy service, ensuring customers can fulfill all their parcel needs in one journey. Increasing the number of lockers available allows us to make our customers’ lives easier – especially in the run-up to Christmas.”

Michael Rouse, CEO at InPost International, said: “Convenience has never been more important to consumers, particularly now that many aspects of our lives – from train travel to shopping habits – have been changed since the pandemic.

“We know that it can be exceptionally frustrating to have to stay home for a parcel delivery or waste valuable lunch break time standing in queues to return items. That’s why we’re thrilled to join forces with Govia Thameslink Railway and see our parcel lockers rolled out at over 70 train stations.

“Not only will this significantly boost convenience – offering passengers a quick and easy way to collect and return their parcels as part of their daily commute or journey across the rail network – it will also help to reinforce the stations as hubs for the local communities.”