Royal Mail shifts from railway to road deliveries and slashes airmail operations

Royal Mail has made the decision to cease using trains for transporting post, marking the end of nearly two centuries of mail rail services. This move signifies the conclusion of Royal Mail's 194-year relationship with Britain's railways, which has been a significant part of the country's postal history. While the iconic Travelling Post Offices were discontinued two decades ago, letters and parcels have continued to be transported via the rail network daily. The decision to scrap freight trains comes as part of Royal Mail's efforts to reduce carbon emissions, with plans to cut domestic flights by half and increase the use of electric vehicles and renewable fuels in its fleet. The postal service will be selling its 15 British Rail class 325 trains, with only six of these 30-year-old trains still in operation. This shift in strategy represents a major departure from Royal Mail's previous focus on increasing rail deliveries, including the recent expansion of post moved by trains. The move to road deliveries is expected to enhance reliability and efficiency, especially for next-day services, amid a growing demand for such services. The reduction in flights is aimed at reducing costs and improving reliability, with the company facing financial challenges and falling short of delivery targets in recent years. Royal Mail's transition to road deliveries and the reduction in flights are part of a broader transformation agenda, as the company prepares for a £3.6 billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. The takeover will mark the first time in its 500-year history that Royal Mail will be in private ownership. Labour has expressed intentions to scrutinize the deal and ensure that postal workers have a say in the company's operations. The company's efforts to cut costs, reduce carbon emissions, and meet delivery targets reflect a larger industry trend towards sustainability and efficiency in postal services.