N  I  A  G  A  R  A        G  A  Z  E  T  T  E      www.niagara-gazette.com

Published: January 13, 2009 05:02 pm   

USPS: Economy could affect mail delivery times

Lewiston and Grand Island residents may experience changes in services as the United States Postal Service attempts to confront the country’s economic downturn, which has reduced the volume of mail, according to the USPS.

In order to remain economically viable, the Postal Service has announced it will make changes to its operations, staffing and facilities to match current mail volume and to maintain the service.

“We are moving quickly to adjust carrier routes to respond to the current state of the economy,” said Rob Hanlon, acting manager operations programs support, in a statement. “Our goal is to keep mail affordable and to provide excellent service to our customers.”

Through the end of February, route adjustments are expected in Batavia, zip code 14020; Fredonia, 14063; Grand Island, 14072; Lewiston, 14092; Medina, 14103; and Buffalo, 14212. Some post offices implemented route adjustments in 2008.

An unprecedented agreement signed recently with the National Association of Letter Carriers allows the Postal Service to move quickly to make these necessary changes.

While working to minimize any inconvenience from the changes, it is possible that mail delivery to some addresses will be at a different time than residents have grown accustomed, Hanlon said.

“The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operations,” he said. “Our goal remains to preserve the ability to provide quality service at reasonable rates now and well into the future.”