WASHINGTON (352today.com) – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) says that it is ready to provide excellent service during the 2024 holiday season, thanks to major upgrades from its Delivering for America plan.

The $40 billion investment has upgraded USPS’s national postal system, allowing it to manage the higher volume of mail and packages during the holiday season, while still being the cheapest choice for shipping, according to the USPS.

Delivering for America Plan Fuels Preparedness

USPS’s Delivering for America plan is a 10-year initiative that costs $40 billion and is funded by itself. The USPS notes that it is changing how the organization delivers reliable and affordable service.

Here are the main achievements before the 2024 holiday season:

  • Expanded Daily Processing Capacity: USPS has increased its daily package processing capacity three times since 2020, now handling an impressive 60 million packages each day. This growth helps packages travel more quickly through the system and gets USPS ready for the busy holiday season.
  • Reduced Seasonal Hiring: USPS aims to hire 7,500 seasonal workers this year, a reduction from 10,000 in 2023, showing that their workforce is more stable, and operations are better.
  • Revamped Delivery and Processing Network: Almost $17.3 billion from the Delivering for America budget is set aside to upgrade USPS’s delivery and processing systems, making the network more efficient and advanced in technology.
  • Enhanced Fleet with Electric Vehicles: USPS is introducing 106,000 new delivery vehicles, which includes 66,000 electric vehicles that produce no emissions. This move shows their dedication to sustainability and aims to enhance reliability.
  • New Shipping Services: The launch of USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Connect has increased shipping volumes and enhanced efficiency, providing customers with a smooth shipping experience.

More Improvements Ahead of the Holiday Season
USPS says that it is also improving its holiday services to make them more efficient.

  • Morning Parcel Delivery: Focusing on quick delivery of packages to make sure they arrive on time.
  • Enhanced Scanning Technology: Offering real-time tracking updates to improve customer experience.
  • Extended Retail Hours: Popular post office locations will have extended hours for retail and package pick-up during the holiday season.
  • Lowest Postage Rates: USPS says that it still provides the lowest shipping rates compared to other developed countries, making it the cheapest option for holiday shipping.

For more tips on holiday shipping, including deadlines, packaging guidelines, and free shipping supplies, visit usps.com.