USPS delivers 2 billionth piece of holiday mail in St. Louis
The United States Postal Service is delivering a record amount of mail for the holidays. If you are trying to send a letter or package, there are a few dates you need to know.
ST. LOUIS – The United States Postal Service is delivering a record amount of mail for the holidays. If you are trying to send a letter or package, there are a few dates you need to know.
"We're celebrating a milestone delivery,” Mark Inglett, USPS spokesman, said. “The Postal Service is anticipating it's two billionth delivery today for holiday cards, letters, and packages, and we're really excited about it."
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow, or, in Monday’s case, temperatures in the 20s, will stop the United States Postal Service from delivering the mail, marking an historic number for the USPS.
"We project those mail pieces through the calculations of the processing machines,” Inglett said. “What happens is, we have mail entered over the counter, in the parcel machines. It calculates the projected two billionth [piece of mail] delivered here in St. Louis today. Through the mail processing, those machines calculate all the pieces that come through, so all the letters, Christmas cards, and packages is calculated and added up every day."
Inglett said the USPS has spent $40 billion to revitalize sorting and delivery centers nationwide and hired 7,500 seasonal employees. You'll also see 27,000 new vehicles on the roads, more than 500 of them electric.
But they want customers to remember three important dates: deadlines for Christmas shipping.
“We're asking people for the holiday season is Dec. 18 for ground advantage and first-class mail, Dec. 19 for priority mail, and Dec. 21 for priority express. But why wait? Get those things in the mail so you can enjoy the holiday,” Inglett said. “Last year, we had about 12 billion pieces for the holiday, and we anticipate an even bigger number this year."
What's Your Reaction?
