After five years of contentious relations with former postmaster general Louis DeJoy, many in Congress may see the arrival of his successor as an opportunity for fresh thinking at L’Enfant Plaza and different perspectives on some of the issues that nettled Congress the most. With memories of last December’s confrontations at House and Senate hearings still fresh in their minds,…
Read MoreCategory: USPS Service
Articles about USPS service performance, measurement, and reporting.
Disintermediation – Commentary
It’s hardly a report for the evening news, but Sioux Falls (SD) station KSFY reported July 14 that Lewis Drug and Hy-Vee stores would no longer be able to “sell postage or mail packages” for the USPS by the end of September. When asked for comment, a USPS representative stated only that “the Postal Service determined that nearby postal facilities…
Read MoreThe USPS Deserves a Prize – Commentary
After reading the Postal Service’s July 1 Industry Alert (“USPS to Implement Second Phase of Service Standard Refinements on July 1”) it’s clear that the agency’s PR writers have again shown their singular ability to spin anything the USPS does into a great benefit for its customers. Accordingly, we’re proposing that an award be developed that can be given out…
Read MoreUSPS Revises Service Measurement
In a May 30 filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service announced changes to its service measurement process. As stated in the filing: “In this filing, the Postal Service provides notice to the Commission about revisions to the SPM Plan and Methodology Documents related to necessary changes to allow the Postal Service to collect and report service performance…
Read MoreDespite Lower Targets, Service Performance Worsens
PQ II/FY 2025 service performance continued an unimpressive pattern; the Postal Service’s own data reveals that most district and area scores continued to be below targets, even though the targets were significantly lower than in FY 2024. Moreover, only mail “in measurement” is reflected in USPS service scores and, for Marketing Mail, little other than destination-entered mail is measured, clearly…
Read MoreWorshipping at the Altar of Efficiency – Commentary
Most people who travel for pleasure, but especially those who travel for business, have developed loyalties over the years to particular airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, etc. Often these loyalties are reinforced by the companies’ programs – frequent flyer miles and similar points systems or affinity credit cards – that reward the customer and deter switching to another provider.…
Read MoreLipstick on a Pig – Commentary
It’s doubtful that anyone doesn’t know the meaning of the analogy that something is “like putting lipstick on a pig.” With no offense intended to pigs, it simply means that the fundamental nature of something isn’t changed or improved by the addition of superficial or cosmetic devices. The analogy applies to the recent press release (and accompanying Industry Alert and…
Read MoreUSPS Rejects PRC Advice, Proceeds with Service Changes
In perhaps the least surprising announcement since the last rate case, on February 26 the Postal Service stated it would proceed with implementing the network and service standard changes it revealed last October 4 in a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission. That 55-page filing, seeking an advisory opinion from the PRC, explained how the USPS is reorganizing its processing…
Read MoreThe Other Side of the Story
Last September 11, the Postal Service issued an Industry Alert announcing that it would end or revise its negotiated service agreements with package consolidators, notably ending discounts for destination entry of parcels. In the press release notifying the public, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was quoted as stating: “… to more effectively utilize our network and realize enhanced economies, we no…
Read MoreClosing but Not Closing
Post offices nationwide have typically served two purposes: retail in the front and carrier operations in the back. Though some small offices in rural areas may have only a few or no carriers, larger towns and cities, as well as stations and branches of large post offices, more frequently have both. As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has advanced his 10-Year…
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