USPS ready for busiest mailing and delivery days
The Postal Service assured the Board of Governors today it is prepared to handle the busiest mailing and delivery days. Monday, Dec. 17 is expected to be the busiest mailing day as the Postal Service estimates it will handle 275 million cards and letters — more than three times the average daily volume of 82 million. Total mail volume (including packages) on Dec. 17 should approach 1 billion pieces. Wednesday, Dec. 19 is expected to be the busiest delivery day.
“Our employees are working around the clock to make sure cards and presents arrive on time for the holidays,” Deputy Postmaster General and COO Pat Donahoe told the Governors. “In fact, we’re even delivering Express Mail on Christmas Day — excluding Santa, only the Postal Service will deliver on that day.”
The theme of this year’s holiday campaign is Today’s Holidays Need Today’s Mail. “Americans are busier than ever, especially during the holidays, and we’re offering services like extended hours and 24-hour Automated Postal Centers to help meet their needs,” said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer and executive vice president. About 7,000 Post Offices offer extended hours during the holiday season.
Appropriation Request
At today’s meeting, the Board of Governors approved a Fiscal Year 2009 appropriation request totaling USD 117.7 million. This annual request to Congress includes USD 69.8 million in reimbursement for free services the Postal Service is required to provide, including free mail for blind persons and for overseas voting. The request also includes reconciliation adjustments for previous years based upon final audited mail volumes, which are USD 2.8 million for Fiscal Year 2007 and USD 16.1 million for Fiscal Year 2006.
In addition, the request includes USD 29 million for the latest annual installment from the Revenue Forgone Reform Act of 1993. This act requires the Postal Service to be reimbursed for services it performed in 1991 through 1993 and for shortfalls in the reimbursement of costs the Postal Service incurred processing and delivering certain nonprofit mail from 1994 through 1998.
The Postal Service is also authorized by law to request partial reimbursement for the costs incurred in providing universal service. However, the Postal Service has not requested funds for this purpose since fiscal year 1983.
Other Action
The Governors approved the Postal Regulatory Commission’s recommended decision on a negotiated service agreement (NSA) with Bank of America. An NSA is a contractual agreement between the Postal Service and a company whose mail use is an integral part of its business strategy. NSAs provide price incentives based on a company’s mail operations.
The Board also approved the Postal Service Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Report and Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations. Both documents will be available on usps.com later this month.
