In successive acceleration stages, the nominal take-off speed of the take-off elements in each acceleration stage is higher than the nominal take-off speed of the take-off elements of the respective preceding acceleration stage in the direction of transport. In the respective acceleration stage, the speed of the consignment lying on the take-off element(s) is measured by a sensor T1 positioned on the side of the take-off element. As soon as the speed of the consignment lying on the take-off element, which is measured in the feed region of each acceleration stage by the sensor positioned on the side of the take-off element, deviates by a defined value from the nominal speed of the take-off element in the acceleration stage, i.e., as soon as the consignment is received in the acceleration stage practically without slippage, the speed of the take-off element of the preceding acceleration stage is reduced.