The Austin Post Office expects a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in letter volume and a 15 percent to 20 percent increase in package volume during the next few weeks, Postmaster Dan Heins said.

Monday, December 04, 2000

The Austin Post Office expects a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in letter volume and a 15 percent to 20 percent increase in package volume during the next few weeks, Postmaster Dan Heins said. The figures correspond with expected increases across the nation.

Postal employees will be working overtime and on creative schedules to deal with the city’s needs. No additional employees will be hired, however, Heins said.

"Currently, the volume increase isn’t particularly dramatic," Heins said, "and it’s unclear if the increase is due to the holiday or the expected rate increase."

The U.S. Postal Service has announced a 1-cent increase for the beginning of the new year. Elevated operational costs, including gasoline prices, are the reason for the additional charge.

"I’ve read that a 1-cent increase in the price of gas costs the Postal Service more than $1 million," Heins said, "because of the size of our fleet."

The exact date of the increase is unknown, but is expected in January, unless the Postal Service decides to push it back further into the new year.

Heins stresses that the earlier residents bring their packages to the post office, the better. Two Mondays, Dec. 11 and 18, are expected to be peak days.

To ensure that deliveries arrive at their destinations in time for Christmas, residents should send all parcel post packages and letters by Dec. 15. Express Mail delivery items should be sent by Dec. 19 or 20. Express Mail will be delivered on Christmas Eve and Christmas, too.

In other words, you cannot be guaranteed a Christmas delivery if you bring your package to the post office on or after Dec. 21.

To aid customers, the post office is offering extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16. Normal business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.