New delivery aircraft causes difficulties for Jersey Post

Thursday 29 June 2017

An aircraft intended to improve the quality of postal services between Jersey and the UK has slowed delivery times as it takes longer to unload, it has emerged.

Following discussions with the Royal Mail, Jersey Post agreed to introduce a 737 plane on the postal route from March. But, according to the latest Quality of Service Report, this has caused, “…operational issues” as it takes longer to unload the post, meaning that items reach the Rue de Pres headquarters later, “…leading to a later time when postmen and women get on the road.”

Staff start times were subsequently pushed back by 30 minutes to compensate for the delay, but Jersey Post admitted in the report that the move meant that some customers, “…will get their mail later than before.”

The report also showed that the service had failed to meet three out of nine quality service targets to deliver mail the day after it had been posted either in the UK, Guernsey or from Jersey to Guernsey.

Jersey Post also missed three out of four of its next day delivery targets – only meeting the criteria on Jersey-to-Jersey postings. 

Pictured: Only around 43% of UK-to-Jersey next day delivery postings arrived on time.

Industry watchdog CICRA, described the figures as “disappointing", and says it will keep a closer eye on the company.

Nonetheless, Director Louise Read commended Jersey Post for its efforts to improve.

“It is encouraging that Jersey Post acknowledges there is a problem and assured us it has taken steps to address its performance this year,” she said. 

“CICRA will continue to monitor the performance of Jersey Post in order to inform and protect service users in the island.

“We understand Jersey Post has been working with Royal Mail and Ofcom (the UK regulator responsible for postal services) with a view to improving the end-to-end service. This resulted in a change of aircraft used on the Jersey to UK postal route.”

So far, Jersey Post has achieved all nine of its targets for April and May, and seen a 50% improvement in inbound next day delivery.

Tim Brown, Chief Executive of Jersey Post said, “We acknowledge that our performance in 2016 was below target. We recognised that we had issues last year and have been in numerous discussions with Royal Mail, our key transportation partner for all off-island mail, and we also raised the matter with CICRA at the time. Service levels are something we take incredibly seriously and we are taking steps to remedy the situation.”