WASHINGTON – Congressman Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) introduced the FAIR Fleets Act. This bipartisan legislation aims at modernizing the United States Postal Service (USPS) vehicle fleet while ensuring both urban and rural communities receive an equitable share of modern, fuel-efficient delivery vehicles.
“In the Central Valley and rural communities across America, families and businesses depend on the Postal Service,” said Congressman Valadao. “Too often, deliveries are delayed because the USPS lacks the resources to modernize, which is why the FAIR Fleets Act is so important. This bipartisan bill gives USPS the tools to upgrade its aging fleet with more fuel-efficient vehicles—improving reliability and reducing costs—to ensure people receive dependable mail services no matter where they live.”
“Every American, whether they live in a big city or a rural town, deserves reliable, timely postal service,” said Congressman Costa. “The FAIR Fleets Act ensures that underserved areas, which too often face delays and aging equipment, are given the same level of service as more populated regions. This bill is about fairness and better efficiency in our mail system.”
Background:
The USPS operates one of the world’s largest civilian fleets, with over 230,000 vehicles—many over 30 years old. These vehicles, particularly the Grumman LLV model, are beyond their original intended service life. This drives up maintenance costs and emissions while causing significant service delays, particularly in rural areas.
The FAIR Fleets Act would:
- Amend Title 39 of the U.S. Code, requiring the USPS to assess and modernize fleet distribution.
- Prioritize underserved areas such as rural towns, Tribal lands, and high-poverty urban neighborhoods.
- Directs the USPS to submit annual reports to Congress detailing vehicle distribution, progress in underserved areas, and further recommendations for service improvements.
Read the full bill here.
