The Kansas City metro is currently undergoing an audit on its mail services by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in response to numerous complaints about significant delivery delays.
The USPS Office of Inspector General will conduct an audit to assess the effectiveness of delivery operations and property conditions at the Processing and Distribution Centers in the Kansas City area. The review will focus on the following locations:
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- Hickman Mills Post Office — Kansas City, Missouri
- Robert L. Roberts Post Office — Kansas City, Kansas
- Shawnee Mission Post Office — Mission, Kansas
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., expressed his support for the audit, stating that it is an important initial measure in addressing the concerns of the Kansas City area communities. In a letter addressed to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in March, Sen. Marshall emphasized the need for reliable mail services and the importance of finding answers to improve the current situation.
“We have been raising concerns about these delays for months and are now in regular communication with the USPS,” he said.
“We often don’t receive mail on time. There are occasions when we go an entire week without any mail,” shared Katy Johnson.
Lawrence Henderson expressed frustration about the consistent delay in receiving his mail. He mentioned that he often had to visit the post office to retrieve it or wait 2-3 days longer than expected. Lawrence specifically mentioned that his checks were not arriving on time, causing further inconvenience.
Travis Jackson expressed the difficulty of receiving prescriptions from the VA via mail. He mentioned that there are instances when the prescriptions do not arrive on time.
In a letter, Senator Marshall voiced his concern and frustration over the ongoing delays that residents in Kansas City are experiencing. He emphasized the need for answers and transparency regarding the inconsistencies observed across the two-state region.
One couple with bills missed a deadline and expressed their frustration over the delays, stating that it had a negative impact on them.
“I was told that it was sent to Indiana for sorting, but the gas company is right here in downtown,” one man claimed.
Johnson expressed frustration with the delay in receiving his receipts, noting that the letter was postmarked on April 5th but he didn’t receive the documents until April 15th. According to him, the letter must have been sitting somewhere for two weeks.
“We constantly receive other people’s mail, and it’s just like, what on earth?” she exclaimed.
According to Jackson, he was informed that there was a shortage of drivers and as a result, the mail was being delivered selectively to certain areas.
He expressed his frustration, stating that there is a limited number of options available. The advertisements for help have been posted, but unfortunately, there is a lack of response from potential candidates.
USPS has previously been transparent regarding their requirement to recruit new staff members and has even organized regular job fairs. However, they have not provided any response regarding the recently announced audits.
The USPS online service performance dashboard has unveiled that only 68 percent of First-Class mail is delivered on time, resulting in an average delivery time of over three days, as mentioned in the letter. This is a significant decrease from the previous year’s on-time delivery rate of 91 percent and falls short of the organization’s target of 92.5 percent on-time delivery.
USPS received numerous investigation requests from previous senators before Marshall’s letter. In fact, Marshall had already sent a previous letter in February, highlighting the specific delays in Johnson County.
In Marshall’s letter, he outlined the questions that these politicians are seeking answers to.
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- What steps has USPS taken to increase staffing in the Kansas City region?
- How is the USPS improving employee training on procedures for handling mail?
- How is the USPS holding management accountable for the performance and delivery
issues outlined in the report?
The delays in mail delivery by USPS not only affect residents but also have a significant impact on business owners. They heavily rely on mail deliveries to market their products, inform customers about new inventory, and announce upcoming sales.
Marshall emphasized the importance of representing the residents and business owners of Kansas and Missouri. He stated that it is their responsibility to ensure that federal programs, including the U.S. Postal Service, cater to the needs and interests of all Americans.
According to him, the USPS is currently failing to meet its own standards, and recent data indicates that its performance is only getting worse. He emphasized that their objective is to obtain answers, hold the USPS accountable, and advocate for the residents and business owners who have been affected by these shortcomings.
A recent audit report conducted in 2023 shed light on the reasons behind the delayed mail services in Kansas City by USPS. The report highlighted that a significant factor contributing to these delays is the shortage of employees. The audit pointed out issues such as absenteeism, low application rates, and a lack of delivery truck drivers as key factors behind the staffing challenges faced by USPS in the region.
The report also highlighted the fact that the company’s management did not accurately record delayed mail in their systems. This oversight can have a negative impact on the overall perception of mail conditions and can also influence daily operational decisions. This issue can be attributed to a lack of proper training, limited management experience, and the failure to prioritize high-priority tasks.
Marshall expressed his anticipation for full transparency from the USPS regarding the problems they find and the solutions they propose. He emphasized that the audit is a crucial measure towards enhancing services for the people of Kansas.
“I am dedicated to achieving tangible outcomes and advocating for prompt resolutions to address the frustration and inconvenience experienced by individuals who rely on USPS mail services. I will persistently strive to ensure that any concerns are effectively resolved,” he affirmed.
