Improved postal code coming

The minister made the comments as he delivered the feature address at a function at the Arima Town Hall, Sorzano Street, to introduce improvements to the postal code and postal-code implementation projects.

The improvement introduced in Arima was the S-42 addressing standard and postal code, a new internationally recognised standard developed by the Universal Postal Union intended to improve TTPost’s mail delivery by improving the quality of addresses across the country.

TTPost officials explained that the new standard will do away with the use of lamppost numbers, mile markers, lot numbers and “corner of ” as part of street addresses.

These will be replaced by building numbers assigned in what they said was a logical and sequential way. The buildings are numbered sequentially with even numbers on one side of the street and odd numbers on the other. Numbers are also assigned to vacant lots to cater for future development and even to buildings under construction.

However, TTPost said the assignment of numbers is for postal purposes only and does not affect the numbers on deeds and other official documents. The new address format is expected to improve response time for emergency services, reduce the cost of doing business and lower the incidence of returned mail.

TTPost officials added that anyone can access the codes and use them for online shopping. When the postal codes are ready, TTPost will provide a postal code finder on its website. In the meantime, customers can find out their code by contacting any TTPost outlet.

Hinds said when these new codes go into effect, postmen and women will no longer be required to locate addresses next to a lamppost or a standpipe. He said it would make the distribution of mail more efficient because of the certainty of the addresses.

Adding that the project was long overdue, he said the process was started in 2012 and was expected to be fully implemented across the whole country toward the end of 2018.

He said those receiving mail will not be the only ones to benefit, as TTPost would benefit as well from a reduction in operational costs and could increase its revenue by generating a higher level of international business mail, which he said would be a win/win situation for everybody.