U.S. Postal Service Taking Steps to Increase Efficiency

Under-utilized blue collection mailboxes will be retired from service

Worthington, IN—The decline in mail volume, as a result of the faltering economy, is having a significant impact on the United States Postal Service. Cost-saving steps being implemented include the removal of under-utilized blue collection mailboxes.

To determine which boxes to remove, the Postal Service conducts density tests. If the test indicates customers deposit less than 25 pieces of mail per day, the box is retired from service. A sign is then posted on the box two weeks prior to removal to notify customers of the pending change. The sign also directs customers to the nearest collection box and provides a phone number to call for additional information.

In Worthington, the following mailbox is scheduled for removal:

• 240 West Street, Worthington, 47471

“Removing these under-utilized collection mailboxes reduces fuel costs, wear-and-tear on our vehicles and improves operational efficiency,“ says Kim Yates, Postal Service spokesperson for the Greater Indiana District. “This helps us provide better service and reduce operating costs. Removing boxes that aren’t being used simply makes good business sense.”

According to Yates, to meet the challenge of declining mail volume, it is important that the United States Postal Service takes action to realign its resources to achieve long-term financial success. Anything less would threaten its ability to accomplish the mission of providing universal postal service to the nation at affordable prices.