The Smarter Alternative Economy in Express Deliveries

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Fast and reliable transport is key in modern logistics. It ensures that supply chains run smoothly, whether it's importing components for production or delivering final products to customers.

Many businesses rely on express transport to ensure fast deliveries and meet urgent customer demands. However, express transport often comes at a high cost, making it an expensive choice—especially when a full truck isn’t necessary.

In this article, we’ll explore how Economy transport provides a smarter alternative, offering cost-effective yet fast delivery without compromising reliability.  

What Is Express Transport?

Express transport is a fast and reliable way to move goods across Europe, providing direct door-to-door delivery without unnecessary stops, reloading, or delays. This solution is ideal for businesses that require shipments to reach their destinations as quickly as possible, whether due to tight schedules, last-minute changes, or urgent client demands.

Express deliveries are particularly useful in situations where production schedules depend on immediate restocking, where perishable goods need rapid transit, or where high-value cargo requires secure, direct transport.

Whether it’s machinery parts, medical equipment, retail stock, furniture, or bulding materials, express transport ensures that goods arrive on time, reducing potential downtime and financial losses. In industries like automotive, expo & events or medical, this mode of transport is usually a must.

However, while express transport is essential for time-sensitive shipments, is it always the best option when cargo is not extremely urgent or doesn’t require a full truck?

Economy Transport – The Perfect Middle Ground?

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While express transport is highly effective, it comes at a premium cost. Companies often pay for a full, dedicated truck, even if they don’t need all the available space.

Economy option (direct part-load) transport was developed to offer the same direct service at a more optimized price, making it ideal for production companies looking to balance logistics efficiency with cost savings. It was designed for companies that:

• Need fast and reliable delivery but want to reduce transport costs
• Don't require a full truck but still want direct, safe delivery
• Want a clear, upfront price without extra surcharges
• Ship oversized goods or non-standardized pallets that couriers can’t handle in groupage system

Economy vs. Express: What's the Difference?

In reality, Economy and Express transport are almost identical in service—both provide:

• Fast, direct delivery – No cross-docks and reloading
• Dedicated trucks – Products travel in the same truck from loading to delivery.
• ‍Full shipment security – No risk of damage thanks to a no-reloading system and 24/7 Shipment Monitoring.

The key difference?

‍Pricing. Economy optimizes truck capacity, ensuring lower costs without sacrificing speed or reliability.

Features of Economy Transport at DONE Deliveries

To provide express-level service at a better price, the Economy option by DONE uses:

• AI-driven load matching – Ensures efficient truck pairing while maintaining direct routes.
• 24/7 shipment monitoring – Clients have real-time visibility over their deliveries from any device.
• Instant price calculation – Transparent pricing available online in seconds.
• Optimized cost structure – More affordable than traditional express transport (up to 30% savings) without compromising quality.

Example Pricing: Economy vs. Premium Express

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The key difference? Pricing. Economy optimizes truck capacity, ensuring lower costs without sacrificing speed or reliability.

Conclusion

While Economy is an alternative to Premium Express, on the other hand, it’s faster and safer solution than groupage transport:

‍Economy delivers in 2 days, while groupage can take up to 5 days.
‍Economy avoids multiple reloading points, minimizing damages
‍Economy supports oversized and non-standard cargo, unlike groupage

If your business relies on fast transport but wants to reduce costs without compromising speed or security, Economy transport is the right choice. It offers the same reliability as Premium Express but at a price closer to groupage.

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