The United States Postal Service (USPS) unveiled a recently updated Stockton Sorting and Delivery Center and showcased new electric vehicles on Thursday morning.
The U.S. Postal Service is investing $40 billion across the nation as part of their Delivering for America Plan , a 10-year plan, "to modernize and revitalize its services," the company stated in a news release.
"The introduction of our new facilities and vehicles in Stockton is a clear demonstration of this progress. This $40 billion investment over the next decade represents more than just an upgrade; it's a commitment to our employees, our customers, and the future of the postal service," Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a USPS news release. "These new, state-of-the-art facilities and vehicles will significantly boost our delivery capabilities, ensuring we remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving marketplace."
More than $639 million has been invested in postal service's California operations as of the second quarter of this year, the company stated.
The updated 215,910 square foot Stockton Sorting and Delivering Center is located at 3131 Arch Airport Rd. in Stockton.
"These centers are designed to enhance operational efficiency through swift and accurate mail sorting and delivery, a critical aspect of the plan's effectiveness," the company stated. "These centers serve as essential hubs, contributing to service reliability and aligning with sustainability goals."
The Stockton facility can process 3,000 packages per hour for the nine zip codes, P.O. boxes and 127 routes that operate out of this facility. The facility is the only one of its kind in the Central Valley with "the latest modernization," the company stated.
New USPS electric delivery vehicles
The Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) were also highlighted on Thursday.
The vehicles are "purpose-built" for the postal service with "employee safety and comfort in mind," the company stated.
"These vehicles are not only enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of mail and package delivery in California but also elevating the customer service experience. With increased cargo capacity, these vehicles can transport more packages per trip, reducing the number of trips required and improving efficiency," the company stated. "Their improved reliability also minimizes downtime for maintenance and repairs, ensuring consistent and timely delivery service."
DeJoy announced in December 2022 that USPS intended "to purchase 106,000 vehicles through 2028, with at least 66,000 of those vehicles being battery electric," the company stated.
USPS has received 19,400 of the 27,000 new vehicles planned for this year to deploy, the company stated.
Battery Electric Vehicles are currently operating out of the Stockton facility.
"These zero-emission vehicles, along with the new gas-powered vehicles engineered for higher fuel efficiency, underscore the Postal Service's commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility," the company stated. "These investments aim to reduce both the postal service's carbon footprint and operational costs."
Dozens of new vehicles are set to be deployed in the region in the next five years based on "delivery volume, infrastructure readiness, and operational needs."
"Eventually replacing vehicles that are over 30 years old," the company stated.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ AngelaydetRocha . To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow .
This article originally appeared on The Record: U.S. Postal Service unveils updated Stockton Sorting and Delivery Center, new electric vehicles
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