U.S. Postal Service Delivers Record-Breaking Performance

Greater South Carolina Scores Among Nation’s 13 Best Postal Districts

COLUMBIA— The Greater South Carolina District, delivering mail for ZIP Codes 290-6, is ranked ninth in the nation for on-time delivery performance scores with a score of 98% for the delivery of overnight First-Class Mail. This sets another new record for highest level of service during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008.

While national overnight delivery service climbed a full percentage point from the previous fiscal quarter, reaching an average of 97 percent on-time delivery, the Capital Metro Area averaged 98% to lead the nation. The Greater SC District and three of the six other districts that make up the Capital Metro Area also scored 98%.

The third quarter covers April, May and June 2008.

Since 1990, the Postal Service has contracted with an independent agency to measure First-Class Mail service performance independently and objectively.

First-Class Mail performance is measured independently by IBM Global Business Services. The review measures First-Class Mail from the time it is deposited into a collection box or lobby mail chute until it is delivered to a home or business.

“These record delivery levels are the direct result of employees all across the country working as a team to provide excellent service to our customers,” said Jerry Lane, Capital Metro Area Vice President. “Now, more than ever, our customers can count on the Postal Service to meet their shipping and mailing needs.”

Thirteen of the Postal Service’s 80 districts lead the nation with a 98 percent on-time score for overnight delivery. They are: Northern Virginia, Arkansas, North Florida, Big Sky (the state of Montana), Baltimore, Fort Worth, Suncoast (western central Florida from Tampa/St. Petersburg to Ft. Myers), Dakotas, Greater South Carolina, Mid-Carolinas, Mid-America (northwest Missouri to the south, central and southeastern Missouri, and eastern Kansas), Portland and Central Plains (Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and the majority of Kansas).

“We are committed to providing our customers with the level of service they have come to expect. Our scores remain strong and we’ll continue striving to make them even better,” said Nick Rinaldi, District Manager for Greater South Carolina.

Since May, prices for Express Mail, the Postal Service’s premier overnight service, are lower at the weights and in the delivery zones used by most customers. The Postal Service also offers price incentives for both Express Mail and Priority Mail, its two- to three-day shipping service. Online users and commercial Priority Mail customers will see lower prices, while high-volume Express Mail shippers will get quarterly rebates and price reductions.

Nationally, delivery service scores reached record highs for all three categories of First-Class Mail the Postal Service tracks:

• Overnight service was 97 percent on-time, up from 96 percent the same period last year.
• Two-day service was 95 percent on-time, up from 93 percent the same period last year.
• Three-day service was 94 percent on-time, up from 91 percent the same period last year

An audio news release on this topic is available in the newsroom at usps.com