Tag: Domestic

USPS launches rate increases and incentives

Posted by | Apr 18, 2008 | |

Under a new strategy intended to make it more competitive with other shipping companies, the U.S. Postal Service is rolling out a new rate schedule effective May 12 with a combination of higher rates and incentives for lowering costs.
Taking advantage of a law passed by Congress in 2006 that gives the U.S.P.S. increased flexibility to set prices, the Postal Service will offer zone-based pricing with lower rates for those who ship in volume or help the Postal Service cut costs by dropping off packages at bulk mail centers.
Shipping rates for Priority Mail and Parcel Select, two U.S.P.S. services commonly used by online retailers to ship parcels weighing up to 70 pounds, will rise on average 6 pct and 5.7 pct, respectively. But Priority Mail, used to deliver products typically within two to three days, will offer lower rates to shippers who use services such as the Postal Services’ online Click-and-Ship pick-up scheduling service and PC Postage online postage services from third-party vendors like Endicia and Pitney Bowes, the spokesman says.
For Parcel Select, which allows shippers to bring products to either a local post office or a bulk mail center, customers will be able to get reduced rates based on volume and also for bringing packages directly to a post office, or direct delivery unit, instead of a bulk mail center.
For package returns, the U.S.P.S. is raising the average overall rate by 2.2%. But it will offer discounts for packages returned to a direct delivery unit instead of a bulk mail center, the spokesman says.

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UK Competition in Delivery

Posted by | Apr 17, 2008 | |

Postcomm is seeking views on potential barriers to competition in delivery, the so-called ‘final mile’ in the UK postal sector.

As part of the regulator’s forward work plan it is assessing the potential benefits of delivery competition, particularly in ensuring a healthy universal service and supporting a range of reliable, innovative and efficient postal services, including a universal service reflecting the needs of users, valued by customers, and delivered through a successful Royal Mail and a sustainable competitive market.

While competition through access agreements has developed quickly since Royal Mail negotiated the first such agreement in 2004, competition in delivery has actually declined for the last two years.

Postcomm has already identified a number of possible barriers, and the regulator is seeking views on new and emerging issues affecting the growth of competition in delivery.

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TNT Post calls trade unions to labour negotiation follow-up

Posted by | Apr 16, 2008 | |

TNT Post has offered a structural salary increase of 3 pct comprising a 1.5 pct salary increase backdated to 1 April 2008, and a further 1.5 pct on 1 January 2009. The latter is conditional on the elaboration and implementation of a plan, put forward by a joint working group with representatives from the trade unions and TNT Post, to make fundamental changes to the conditions of employment.

The trade unions are demanding a one-year collective labour agreement for all of TNT in the Netherlands, with a salary increase of 3.5 pct backdated to 1 April 2008. Only once this has been accepted will they be willing to discuss bringing the employment package more into line with the market.

At its core the issue is not the salary levels but rather gaining clarity on a future collective labour agreement that is in line with the market. This collective labour agreement must put TNT Post in a position to compete whilst maintaining both volume and jobs for its employees as much as possible. The trade unions recognise this but say they need more time to discuss this with their members. Allowing costs to rise without having reached clear agreement with the trade unions on future market-level conditions of employment is not an option.

During the meeting at the Beatrixhal building in Utrecht this evening, the trade unions will consult their members. TNT Post is calling on the trade unions to continue discussions.

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Privatise Royal Mail and BBC, says report (UK)

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

The Royal Mail, Channel 4, BBC Worldwide, Scottish Water, Northern Ireland Water, Glas Cymru and the national air traffic control system should all be privatised, while government stakes in British Energy and the nuclear industry should be sold off.

That’s the main recommendation of a report by the Adam Smith Institute, which reckons the sales would raise around GBP 20bn for the government. The report ‘Privatization – reviving the momentum’ said the sales would be timely, given the state of the economy and the “increasing tightness” of public finances.

As well as financial benefits, the privatisations would boost investment, lower prices and give greater choice and better services to customers, as well as underpinning billions of pounds worth of economic activity.

The report’s author Nigel Hawkins said: “Privatisation in the UK remains unfinished business. The task for government, of whatever colour, should be to complete it and to reap the many benefits – including proceeds of some GBP 20bn.”

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Amtrak Sprints Ahead with Vehicle Replacement Programme

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

Amtrak is continuing its investment programme with 100 Mercedes Sprinters on order for delivery by the end of the year.

The first 50 Mercedes Sprinter 311CDIs will be delivered in July, with the rest due by December. Amtrak has already invested in almost 100 Ford Transits (350CDI Long Wheel Base) for its C+D fleet.

Last year, Amtrak added 18 double-deck trailers to the six already in its fleet, to cut the number of trunking vehicles between its Aldridge hub and 57 depots nationwide.

“Investment in IT systems, giving us full visibility throughout the network with real-time PODs, and some reorgansiation of the depot network, have also helped us to run the most efficient operation possible,” says Mr Jones. “The new vehicles are part of our continued investment in the company as we build the business and expand the customer base.”

The vans have been supplied by Reflex Vehicle Solutions Ltd.

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