Consumer Advocate Praises Continued Performance Improvement

CHICAGO, IL—Despite continuing economic challenges, the U.S. Postal Service continues to deliver high levels of service – and the Chicago District has become a major contributor to that success. The district continued its outstanding recent record of service performance in fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2009, from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2009.

The district’s score of 96 percent for on-time two-day delivery of Single-Piece First-Class Mail tied four other districts for the best score in the nation. The district’s 96 percent score for on-time overnight delivery of Single-Piece First-Class Mail and 94 percent score for on-time three-day delivery matched the national average in both categories.

“Last year the Chicago District reached progressive and sustained levels of performance,” Delores J. Killette, Postal Service Vice President and Consumer Advocate, said in announcing the scores November 13. “This year they exceeded those levels. Well done Chicago!”

In addition to achieving record high levels of service performance, the Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency by the Ponemon Institute for five consecutive years.

“We are committed to providing customers with the trusted, reliable service they’ve come to expect,” said Chicago District Manager/Postmaster Gloria Tyson. “Our quarterly service performance measurement is our ‘report card’ and I am pleased to see that when it comes to serving our customers, we’re meeting and exceeding the national standards.”

Since 1990, the Postal Service has contracted with an independent company to measure First-Class Mail service performance. IBM Global Business Services tracks First-Class Mail from the time it arrives in a collection box or lobby mail chute until it is delivered to a home or business, allowing the Postal Service to monitor performance and improve service for customers.

“Despite noticeable improvements and record service performance results, the Postal Service remains focused on raising the bar,” said Tyson. “We’re the only company where every American is our customer, and service isn’t just in our name, it’s our commitment.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

source: USPS