Distribution of small packages in metropolitan area by motorcycle courier services

Small packages such as important documents, receipts and gifts are usually distributed in a short time window in a metropolitan area of congested traffic and limited parking spaces. While conventional four-wheel vehicles are not suitable for intra-city deliveries, motorcycles are perfect since they are more mobile. This paper tries to investigate business models suitable for distributing small packages in metropolitan area by analysing two courier networks: a point-to-point and a hub-and-spoke courier network. Pros and cons, as well as the simplified mathematical models for these two networks will be proposed and analysed to give more insights for this business.