What:
The Postal Service is scheduled to deliver the 4 billionth piece of mail this holiday season on Thursday, Dec. 5. To mark the occasion, USPS has designated New Orleans, LA as the location of this milestone. A local USPS customer will receive the ceremonial package and a USPS representative will be able to speak about the ongoing deliveries and provide an outlook for the holiday season, as well as provide shipping tips and deadlines.
When:
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
11:00 a.m. (CST)
Where:
Central Carrier Station1300 Florida Ave
New Orleans, LA 70119
RSVP:
Please RSVP to: evelina.b.ramirez@usps.gov
Background:
Anticipating another busy holiday season, the United States Postal Service is fully prepared for a buy holiday season.
USPS is delivering just shy of 1 billion pieces of mail every other day throughout the month of December. A holiday mail counter can be found at the USPS.com homepage, showing the total amount of mail and packages processed for Postal Service delivery.
Holiday Preparation:
Key Investments Ahead of 2024 Peak Season
Specifically, key Delivering for America investments in the Postal Service’s workforce, package processing, and delivery operations ahead of the 2024 peak holiday season include:
Using 83 revitalized sorting & delivery centers: In alignment with the Delivering for America plan, the Postal Service is revamping its network of nearly 19,000 delivery units, which are the final stop for mail and packages before they are delivered by letter carriers. These revitalized sorting and delivery centers have allowed USPS to expand its daily package processing capacity, increase its efficiency and deliver more value to its customers.
Implementing 506 new package sorting machines: These new machines are strategic investments in the local community’s postal infrastructure, enabling postal workers to sort and process packages of all sizes more quickly and reliably. Since the previous peak season, 158 new sorting machines have been installed across the nation. This is part of the organization’s $40 billion investment in new technology and facilities under the Delivering for America plan.
Increased daily processing capacity to approximately 60 million: An expanded daily processing capacity, stabilized workforce, improved operating precision, and well-planned transportation practices has allowed for packages to move through the postal network more quickly and helps eliminate the need for short-term annexes.
Moving more than 95 percent of volume via more reliable ground transportation: More precise operating and logistical strategies have positioned the Postal Service to handle the high mail and package volumes anticipated during the peak holiday season. USPS continues to transition more volume from expensive air transportation to its redesigned ground transportation network. Currently, nearly 95 percent of First-Class Mail and more than 95 percent of packages are moved through the improved, more reliable ground transportation system.
Hiring 7,500 seasonal employees: Because of its experienced and stable workforce, USPS anticipates the need for less seasonal employees this holiday season.
The initial release of the new next generation delivery vehicles: This holiday season will also mark the initial release of the brand-new BEV Next Generation Delivery Vehicles, which will be on select roads and routes this winter. Additionally, this holiday season, there will be more than 27,000 new vehicles on the road with more than 500 being battery-electric.
For tips on preparing shipments, including recommended mailing and shipping dates, packaging guidelines, ordering free shipping supplies and information on local Post Office location hours, visit usps.com.