Metro has just made grocery shopping a little easier by partnering up in a six-month pilot program with the online grocer Peapod. Through Peapod, Metro riders will now be able to order groceries online and pick them up as they exit Metro.
Peapod by Giant has set up distribution areas at Fort Totten, Glenmont and Vienna Metro stations. The program is set to begin this week.
For now, the service is only available at these three stations, but Metro says that if the six-month pilot is successful, it could expand to other Metro locations, The Washington Post reported. This endeavor is one of Metro’s several efforts in finding new sources of income.
“This type of program could generate additional non-farebox revenue in the future,” Metro spokesman Richard Jordan said to The Washington Post.
Metro won't make any money during the test period but would earn a fee if the service is continued, the Post reported.
Metro riders will be able to place and pay for their order through Peapod’s online service or app and pick them up Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 4 and 7 p.m. Peapod will deliver the orders to pods at each station, and an on-site attendant will distribute the groceries to customers. No money will be exchanged in person, and no food will be stored overnight.
Giant Food offered a similar service back in 2012, using Metro stations as virtual grocery stores.
