USPS OIG Report: Efficiency of Surface Transfer Centers in the Southern Region

Background Surface Transfer Centers (STC) are contracted mail facilities that distribute, consolidate, dispatch, and transfer all mail classes within the surface network. They also divert mail volume from air to surface transportation and serve as a concentration point for consolidating mail from under-utilized surface trips. There are 13 STCs in the U.S. Postal Service network,…

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USPS proposes changes to service standards for First-Class Package Service

June 17, 2021 USPS is taking additional steps to improve its service reliability by initiating the process of requesting a Postal Regulatory Commission advisory opinion on a proposal to modify service standards for First-Class Package Service. The new service standards, announced June 17, are designed to improve use of surface transportation, while decreasing reliance on…

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USPS offers reminder on mailing lighters

The Postal Service wants employees and customers to remember that cigarette and utility lighters must be authorized to enter the mailstream via surface transportation, such as USPS Retail Ground or Parcel Select. Cigarette and utility lighters are prohibited from air transportation — such as Priority Mail, First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — and from…

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USPS OIG: Highway Contract Routes — Extra Trips — Greensboro District

Audit Report – NO-AR-14-012 – 09/23/2014 Background The U.S. Postal Service uses highway contract routes (HCR) to transport mail between its facilities. An extra trip is an infrequent trip made in addition those that are outlined in the contract. The Postal Service must complete a Postal Service Form 5397 to authorize an extra trip and…

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