HOUSTON — The setbacks and delays at two USPS processing centers in the Houston area continue to pile up as packages make their slow track to their destinations.
KHOU 11 has been working for over a month to get answers to your questions about the delayed deliveries, but despite our efforts, the problems persist.
"This was the longest delay that I’ve ever had," said Jan Chapman, who lives in Mont Belvieu. "I've seen the pictures of the mail in Houston, you know being piled up, and I kind of thought to myself, yeah my package is in there somewhere.”
She said an order with her favorite makeup company was placed on November 7, reaching the Houston area on November 9.
"And I received it today [Jan. 27}," she said. "It was 81 total days I think in transit and 63 of those days was it being lost in the Houston black hole postal system.”
A system that many USPS customers said is no longer dependable as they wait weeks, and in this case months, for everything from mail to prescription medications.
In a statement earlier this week, USPS issued the following apology:
"We are aware of concerns from some local Houston customers regarding their mail delivery. We want customers to know that we continue the expansion of our operations in the Houston area because of increased volume and we are adding additional capacity with a new facility to improve service. The Postal Service has dispatched additional resources from the surrounding area and implemented improved processes to address root causes of sporadic issues to improve the reliability of mail delivery in the Houston area. Customers should also note that multiple severe weather events in Houston and across the nation have impacted many transportation, logistics, and delivery companies, and the Postal Service is no exception. We express our apologies to those who experienced a deviation from our normal dependable service and customers should already see improvements in delivery as we work through these issues."
"I hope they can because I’d like to get my packages sooner," said Chapman.
Meanwhile, Congressman Al Green's office has launched an investigation into the delays at both the north Houston processing center and the one in Missouri City.
Tracking the mail: Our stories on the postal delays
- Dec. 13, 2023: 'Processed as they are received' | In statement, USPS addresses issues at Houston-area post office
- Dec. 15, 2023: Man's medication stuck at Missouri City USPS sorting facility for a week and counting
- Dec. 16, 2023: New Hampshire woman joins list of people frustrated about packages stuck at Missouri City USPS sorting facility
- Dec. 19, 2023: 'Free my mail!' | Congressman looks into Missouri City postal facility with reported package delays
- Jan. 10, 2024: Congressman Al Green to tour Missouri City USPS facility with hopes of resolving mail delay issues
- Jan. 10, 2024: Here's why the post office says your mail is stuck
- Jan. 18, 2024: Package with $1,000 item stuck at Missouri City USPS processing center, customer says
- Jan. 19, 2024: 'We need to step it up and figure this out' | In one day, hundreds of people contacted KHOU 11 about mail delays
- Jan. 19, 2024: Congressman Al Green receives report from USPS Office of Inspector General on mail delay issues
- Jan. 19, 2024: Bride-to-be still waiting on wedding dress just days before big day
- Jan. 20, 2024: Candle shop owner worried about reputation after customers' orders stuck at USPS processing centers in Houston
- Jan. 21, 2024: 'It's not just Missouri City' | Houston’s mail delays extend to USPS northside facility, customers say
- Jan. 22, 2024: Houston congressman demands answers, calls for transparency from USPS on mail delay issues
- Jan. 23, 2024: USPS bringing in extra workers to help with mail delays at Houston-area processing centers, congressman says
- Jan. 24, 2024: 'A whole mess' | USPS employee says key piece of equipment is causing mail delays at Houston-area processing centers