Canada Post modifies operations in response to Toronto gridlock traffic blitz
Posted January 5, 2015 2:56 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canada Post is changing its mail pick-up and delivery operations to non-rush-hour times in an effort to help alleviate traffic gridlock in Toronto.
The corporation is looking to move their stop-times between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and then after 7 p.m., where possible. The change will affect 200 routes that include 8,000 addresses in the downtown core in the Yonge, Bloor, Bathurst and Front streets areas.
The change comes as police are cracking down on drivers who park illegally during rush-hour traffic on downtown streets, especially delivery trucks.
“We understand that our own trucks are contributing to the congestion,” said Jon Hamilton, the GM of communications for Canada Post.
“In the short term, we are focusing on the changes that we control directly while minimizing the impact on customers,” Canada Post said in a release.
As part of Mayor John Tory’s anti-gridlock blitz, the city will also be targeting drivers blocking lanes, making illegal turns, and jay-walking pedestrians.
“Canada Post, for example, is showing some leadership on this. They’re changing the time they clear mailboxes, so that it is not done during rush hour,” Mayor John Tory told 680News political affairs specialist John Stall on Monday, ahead of the blitz.
As of Monday, Canada Post will increase mail and parcel pick-up at post offices in the downtown core between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
“People will still see delivery trucks in the downtown core,” Hamilton explained.
Also, starting on Jan. 12, street letter boxes on major roadways will have later pick-up times, and the corporation is looking to alter the location and clearance time for almost 400 boxes.
The Crown corporation also said it is conducting a review of its pick-up and delivery operations in the downtown core.
“We have started the review of the activities that Canada Post doesn’t control directly such as delivery (including large volume receivers) and pick-ups (both on-demand and scheduled),” Canada Post said.
“Those changes will likely require adjustments from our customers: mailroom hours, drop off/pick up locations, pick up times, different mode of delivery (to 1st floor versus all floors, different entrance, etc.). We are starting those discussions with our customers as soon as possible.”
