US idea could keep post offices open

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Oct 2008, 15:14

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a3259168-9fd2 ... 07658.html

Published: October 22 2008 03:00 | Last updated: October 22 2008 03:00

From Mr Peter M. Brown.

Sir, If post offices facing closure in rural areas were given, in exchange for a performance bond, the right to deliver mail for the final stage of its journey, couldn't some of them provide a cheaper service than having individual postmen going to isolated houses and hamlets, and at the same time provide a new source of income that might allow some to stay open?

In the US, I remember that citizens or bus drivers were often bonded as local postmen and would collect the post twice weekly from a collection point in the local town and undertake the final-stage delivery themselves. This might also allow services for the elderly to be delivered to their door. Despite apparent union resistance, we must find imaginative solutions to help maintain a national postal service.

Peter M. Brown,
Chairman,
Synergy Holdings,
London W2, UK

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 22 Oct 2008, 17:07

Having mail delivered from rural Post Offices.
What a splendid idea.

We could call them SPDOs.

not me · Post by **not me** » 23 Oct 2008, 11:51

and that pesky union resistance