The Postal Service made significant progress reducing the amount of delayed mail at the 43 largest mail processing and distribution centers during the 2013 fall mailing season, the USPS inspector general has said.
In fiscal 2012, some USPS mailers expressed concern about a greater amount of delayed mail during the fall mailing season from October – December every year, but in fiscal 2013 delayed mail declined from the prior fall mailing season by 56 percent, or from 1.034 billion to 438 million pieces of mail.
Much of the decline in delayed mail can be attributed to management’s emphasis on timely processing of mail to include a readiness checklist and expanded use of the Intelligent Mail barcode, which allows the Postal Service to track mail through the mail processing network, the IG said.
It said however opportunities remain to further reduce delays. For example, mail was not always properly staged for first-in first-out processing due to floor congestion caused by excess mail transportation equipment, such as mail tubs and trays, making it difficult to ensure the timely processing, dispatch, and delivery of Standard Mail.
The IG called on top management to coordinate area vice presidents to ensure that all field personnel properly color code Standard Mail in accordance with Postal Service policy and properly store mail transportation equipment to facilitate mail flow.
