Domino’s has opened its first ZeroCar delivery store in Ponsonby, Auckland.
The store, in the new Ponsonby Vinegar Lane and Cider development, is the first Domino’s store in New Zealand that will not use any cars in their deliveries with the ultimate aim to be a 100 percent electronic bike delivery store.
Domino’s general manager, Scott Bush said the transition to ZeroCar deliveries is two-part, one part is Domino’s commitment to reduce its impact on the environment and getting staff more active during deliveries and the other is Domino’s struggle to find enough drivers in stores due to a shortage of New Zealander’s getting their drivers licences.
“Not only do the pushbikes help the environment, they also reduce noise and traffic in the area and provide a fun, safe and active way for us to deliver pizza to our customers,” said Bush.
“Our pushbikes have been designed and modified for our delivery needs, ensuring our drivers can safely deliver piping hot pizzas while doing our bit for the environment.”
Dominos has worked closely with councils and other key agencies to try and understand the barriers for youth to get a license, and some great insights have come from the work according to Bush.
“As a company, we have to look at the way we operate in the current conditions and if one of our barriers is licensed staff we have to find an alternative option. We spent a long time working on the e-bike delivery option to get the bike suitable for our purpose.”
All of the Delivery Experts are kitted out with safety equipment including high visibility vests and helmets with safety always the number one priority.
For an e-bike delivery store, the build and design of the stores have to be slightly different and the delivery territory must be suitable with the capacity to charge and store the e-bikes when not in use.
The territory for the delivery must also be taken into account and while not every Domino’s is suitable to be 100 percent e-bike, the company can introduce them to nationwide stores to make them an additional delivery option.
