The United States Postal Service launched their Delivering for America Plan in 20-21. The plan called for a 40 billion dollar into modernization of the postal service. On Wednesday they unveiled the changes they've made to the Carbondale Post Office under this plan.
Mike Inglett is a communications manager with the United States Postal Service led a tour showing off the work they’ve completed, updating the Carbondale Post office into the new Carbondale sorting and delivery center.
The highlight of the work inside the facility is the new sorting machine. Inglett says the increased efficiency allows them to meet the growing needs of their customers, "It helps us with the workforce because, we get the mail sorted and it gets to the carrier sooner. We get to reallocate the workforce to other areas to help us to get the mail work out that much sooner. We're much more efficient. It's not just about delivery the mail faster. We're building trust. We're keeping our employees safe and providing world class service every business at home in America. And we're proud of that."
In addition to all the updates inside the building, there are changes that can be seen on the road too. As part of the Delivering for America Plan, the postal service is updating it’s delivery fleet. The current iconic post office delivery truck was designed in the late 1980’s. While they were "built to last", 40 years later, postal leaders say the vehicles are not keeping up with current needs. They've deployed new delivery vans that have already driven 20 thousand delivery miles around Carbondale delivering mail to the community.
Patrick Ecker is helping lead the charge to update the fleet. At today’s event he showed off the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle – or NGDV. With a new body style similar to other delivery vans the new design is meant to boost safety, convenience, and comfort for delivery drivers. These features include emergency braking, blind spot and proximity warnings, 360-degree cameras, and more space for mail.
He says that this new fleet will lead to efficiencies in several areas, "This increased carbon capacity will reduce inefficient transportation and hence our delivery capabilities and eliminate the need for many second trips carriers take today to deliver high volumes of packages. But despite being larger, these new vehicles are more fuel efficient and expected to have lower maintenance costs than the older trucks."
Inglett says the Postal Service is excited by all the change - a change that will let them continue their job to meet the needs of the public and their employees, "So you can only imagine how much quicker the mail gets ready and sorted. The carriers get on the street that much sooner. We keep our customers happy and we want to make sure they're very pleased and happy with what we're doing."
And they hope these changes will allow them to continue to meet the changing mailing and shipping needs of their customers.
