Mobile Post Office USPS Truck

Anyone ever seen one of these in operation? I came across the picture in a news article where an emergency renovation was taking place at a post office and this was a "temporary" office until repairs were made:



Who knows...with all of the post office closings being talked about, maybe this will become the post office of the future?

Really all you need is an internet connection and a power supply. A small on-board generator could take care of the energy supply (and run the heat/air conditioning). A 3G/4G receiver like that in a cellphone could supply the internet connection. Then there is just the matter of making sure you have enough change on board for those people who pay cash.

How about a taco truck with a postal window...now we're on to something!

Now that is a mobile post office. I wonder if they have to plug the meter? I'd be interested if they had a unique station name on the cancellation device.

"Two 60c definitives, please, with a smudge of chilli sauce"

Interesting post, neat images.
There was an image of the "postal bus" in the US archives
recently posted by wt1?

I wonder if when you ask for stamps they ask "would you like fries with that?"

Yes, when I worked in Manhattan I would buy my stamps from a truck like that. The truck would park just next to the World Trade #7 and the local post office was about two blocks away.

It is reminiscent of the old Highway Post Office (H.P.O.) which ran frn Feb. 10, 1941 to June 30, 1974.


H.P.O. bus Harrisonburg, VA 1941


Inside

If you enlarge the first picture, I think you will see in the upper window pane the sign "Cash Only" which is an interesting request in this day and age. Also, I believe the photo I posted was from a post office in Brooklyn, so maybe it is the same truck as Raywrio remembers from World Trade #7.

With all the PO closings you may see more of these.

wt1, that truck is way to clean,no graffiti, and new. The one I remember had no awning.

Fantastic images by Russ, once again

I saw this one on my trip to Boston

vacuum man: That Mobile Post Office has been a main stay at the Downtown Crossing shopping center for going on 20+ years. It is parked on Summer Street at Hawley opposite the Macy's (aka Jordan Marsh) Store. Its service began as a smaller mobile unit. It conducts business for a good portion of the retail business day M-F. Within walking distance in the neighborhoods around, there are at least 3-Postal Stations, McCormick (old GPO), Fort Point (South Station - P&DC), and one on Avenue de Lafayette.

Ellgies

Thanks for the info. If you mail anything out of the truck (unfortunately I did not do) does it have a special cancel or does it have just a general Boston cancel?

no special cancel that I am aware of. Maybe during the holiday season. For the most part mail is brought back to the Fort Point Station and put in the regular mail stream.