(Readers – Please see an update at the end of this story)

A generation ago, Jim Croce sang about saving time in a bottle.

If you could do that for 2020, the days and months would likely arrive in a Purolator box – soon after placing an order online.

The changes in the lives and habits of many of us have meant a dramatic increase in digital shopping and courier deliveries. In fact, since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Purolator has reported their overall delivery stops are up 40 per cent – with packages up almost 25 per cent – as they look to process 46 million packages between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24. That’s about a 20 per cent increase over last year.

To help GO Transit customers, and local communities, get things moving quicker – amid the steady flow of catching trains and buses – Metrolinx is expanding a partnership and placing Purolator drop-off and parcel pick-up at select GO stations. This follows a successful trial project at a single station, set up at Scarborough GO.

Customers are now able to pick-up and drop-off Purolator packages at Purolator Mobile Quick Stop trucks located at Scarborough, Mimico, Aurora, Pickering and Burlington GO stations.

The service at these stations operate weekdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Scarborough will do business from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and during the holiday period, from Nov. 14 to Dec. 19, trucks will also operate on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In mid-November, as the holiday shopping season ramps up, Purolator will also be introducing self-serve package drop-off Mobile Quick Stop kiosks at Oshawa and Burlington GO stations.

At these stops, customers can drop-off packages in self-serve kiosks that will be open when the station buildings are open.

The package partnership is intended to help transit riders save time, by eliminating an extra stop during their day.  It’s also a safer alternative to having packages sit at a front door for hours, when nobody is home.

This year has been a challenging one. But when it comes to convenience, connections and speed – we’d like to include GO Transit, UP Express and PRESTO on the list – 2020 really has delivered.