LRMC, Airspeed to pilot first smart locker system in public transport


From left: LRMC President and CEO, Juan F. Alfonso, together with Airspeed Group Chairperson, Rosemarie P. Rafael.

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has officially inked a deal with the Airspeed Group of Companies to activate PopBox in the Philippines and enable the first smart locker system available in a public transport terminal.

With presence in key cities in Indonesia and Malaysia, PopBox is a smart locker system that enables contactless delivery and allows people to receive their packages more comfortably. Airspeed Group of Companies will serve as the official logistics partner offering this new fulfillment option to their clients such as e-commerce platforms and small/medium enterprises. Powered by Airspeed, PopBox smart lockers will be located in all 20 LRT-1 stations, and will offer efficient and contactless delivery service for the benefit of commuters who wish to use LRT-1 stations as their pick-up point for packages.

Present during the partnership signing were (from left) LRMC Head of Business Development, John Kelly F. Tan; LRMC President and CEO, Juan F. Alfonso; together with Airspeed Group Chairperson, Rosemarie P. Rafael; and Airspeed International President and CEO, Mariz C. Regis.

This tie-up was put into signing on 30 January 2023, and was led by LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso, LRMC Head of Business Development John Kelly Tan, Airspeed Group Chairperson Rosemarie P. Rafael, and Airspeed International President & CEO Mariz C. Regis.

LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso shares, “The LRMC team is passionate about innovation. Driven by our shared mission to enhance the commuter experience and make it truly world-class, we want to make commuters feel like they are in a station that they might go to in other countries. We aim to give our passengers a glimpse into our future, and we’re glad to partner with the Airspeed Group in making part of this vision happen.”

“We are proud to be part of bringing this new technology which provides convenience and time-efficiency for our clients’ customers. Airspeed always aims to make it happen for our stakeholders – from creating a better online shopping experience (for fulfillment) to faster, more efficient and convenient documents and parcels sending and delivery. This will now help address the different fulfillment issues that we encounter,” says Airspeed Group’s Chairperson Rosemarie Rafael.

Executives of the two companies had a technical inspection of the demo locker at LRMC Depot in Pasay City

PopBox, powered by Airspeed, is set to be officially launched at LRT-1 this February 2023. Receiving of packages will soon become more convenient, as well as easy consumer package returns as part of the next phases of the partnership.