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All Aux routes getting the new Mercedes vans

Ok fine I surrender. Rwd Mercedes van are the best thing ever. Can't wait for mine. :rolleyes:
I never said you don’t have your say, just that why does everything have to be negative on them... drive wheels have traction because of the weight over them. You can have just as good of traction in rear wheel drive w some weight over the wheels... they already sent lists of routes and management had to reply, part of that was does the route vehicle need to be 4 x4?
So for some, this is incredibly good change, especially for Rca’s having to provide a vehicle for part time work. As far as I’m concerned it’s a step in the right direction
 
While I would certainly like to get one and retire my wrangler, I’m sort of skeptical of its endurance.

my route is 95 miles with only 6 paved. The rest is gravel when you can find it, county roads. I run 10ply geolanders and get in the neighborhood of 20k miles on them. I change brakes every 8k, and have been through 4 sets of rotors in 160k miles. My tie rod ends have fell out while on the route, and my draglink ball joints are next as they are already loose, and all 4 shocks have been replaced twice. Not to mention 2 transmission rebuilds (and 2013 Jeep wranglers have Mercedes transmissions according to my rebuilder).

My jeep is literally beat to hell and needs a break, just not sure the metris can stand up to my route. I’ve already told my pm when she told us about them that if my route gets one, I’m getting rid of my Jeep and my backup, and breakdowns will be 100% her and maintenances problem while I cash in on wait time.
 
While I would certainly like to get one and retire my wrangler, I’m sort of skeptical of its endurance.

my route is 95 miles with only 6 paved. The rest is gravel when you can find it, county roads. I run 10ply geolanders and get in the neighborhood of 20k miles on them. I change brakes every 8k, and have been through 4 sets of rotors in 160k miles. My tie rod ends have fell out while on the route, and my draglink ball joints are next as they are already loose, and all 4 shocks have been replaced twice. Not to mention 2 transmission rebuilds (and 2013 Jeep wranglers have Mercedes transmissions according to my rebuilder).

My jeep is literally beat to hell and needs a break, just not sure the metris can stand up to my route. I’ve already told my pm when she told us about them that if my route gets one, I’m getting rid of my Jeep and my backup, and breakdowns will be 100% her and maintenances problem while I cash in on wait time.
Doubtful, they said something to tune of less than 25% non pavement....
Or something along those lines
 
Dates are listed in the news release from the NRLCA. Between now and 2022.
Looking at the criteria.... Auxy Rt's and over 108 miles.... I'm doubtful my 70 something mile route will get one.... but I actually think I'd like one.... other than they'll likely be picky about anybody putting a scratch on them, and crap like that.... :unsure:
 
Doubtful, they said something to tune of less than 25% non pavement....
Or something along those lines
They’ve called and asked if we had room for one in the parking lot, but did say it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting one. But if they’re thinking adding a vehicle, that means the city and aux rts are keeping theirs.
 
While I would certainly like to get one and retire my wrangler, I’m sort of skeptical of its endurance.

my route is 95 miles with only 6 paved.
Your route won’t be getting one.
The goal is to save money on EMA and not pay a carrier 20K+ a year for it.
The route has to exceed 108 miles and not have more than 25% dirt/gravel. If so then it wouldn’t represent any cost savings.
 
i noticed some thoughts about the turning radius being an issue with the benz vans, so i looked it up. metris has a 36.4 ft radius. a 4 dr wrangler comes in at 41.2 feet. tires can be changed out to 8-10 ply when the oems wear out, so i guess the worst feature i see, is lack of 4wd. i live in a relatively flat area, but i have one place that i turn around, that i need 4wd, everyday, many more, if it is wet, snowy, or icy.
 
I can't see these vans going to any routes where the USPS DOESN'T spend $ on ema but not all miles driven, or given only to routes under 40 miles. Why would they give one to a route 108 miles long and not to a route 24 miles long that they pay for driving 40 miles (the minimum ema pay)?
 
Why would aux route be getting vehicles when the EMA costs are much higher on non aux routes, it would seem like a better use of a vehicle on f/t routes.
 
40 miles = ~$28 bucks a day -vs- 120 miles = ~ $85 clams.... or $510 a week... over $2,000 a month... or ~$27k a year....

Start doing some math and it all adds up... almost would think the USPS is getting ready for a business man to take the reigns.... :unsure:
 
I can't see these vans going to any routes where the USPS DOESN'T spend $ on ema but not all miles driven, or given only to routes under 40 miles. Why would they give one to a route 108 miles long and not to a route 24 miles long that they pay for driving 40 miles (the minimum ema pay)?
Why would aux route be getting vehicles when the EMA costs are much higher on non aux routes, it would seem like a better use of a vehicle on f/t routes.
we had an aux route that was 4 miles long with a pov. if there paying the 40 mile minimum of 28.40 (currently @.71) it is costing $7.10 a mile. all paved city street, so with their own vehicle, it probably would take 2 gallons of gas a week, at an ema cost of $170 for a pov, a week or $640 a month. they can buy the vehicle for less than the ema cost.

the ema costs may be a lot higher on full time routes, but the expenses are greatly increased as well.
 
we had an aux route that was 4 miles long with a pov. if there paying the 40 mile minimum of 28.40 (currently @.71) it is costing $7.10 a mile. all paved city street, so with their own vehicle, it probably would take 2 gallons of gas a week, at an ema cost of $170 for a pov, a week or $640 a month. they can buy the vehicle for less than the ema cost.

the ema costs may be a lot higher on full time routes, but the expenses are greatly increased as well.
Aux routes are not paid the minimum. So many seem not to understand this. We get .71 per mile or an hourly rate of $7 something/$8?, whichever is higher.
 
the following is from the contract - if your not getting the minimum per day allowance of ema, currently $28.40, not $19.20, when using the per mile rate, you are getting screwed....you get the greater of any amounts, per hour, per mile, with the minimum being for 40 miles. you do not understand what you are entitled to. i've seen the paystub of the minimum aux. rote ema.


Auxiliary Assistance and Auxiliary Rural Carriers Unless a USPS owned or leased vehicle is provided, a leave replacement who is performing auxiliary assistance or is employed as an auxiliary rural carrier shall provide a vehicle and, in addition to compensation, shall be paid an EMA on a per-mile or per-hour basis, whichever is greater, based on the rate in effect under Section 9.2.J.3. but not to exceed the amount provided for in the special chart for the route stops and miles. Any changes in the EMA pursuant to the provisions in 9.2.J.3. will result in an adjustment of 5 cents per hour for each Article 9.2.J.5 17 adjustment of one-half cent (0.5¢) per mile

9.2.J.3. - Rate of EMA a. The equipment maintenance allowance base rate shall equal forty-eight cents (48.0¢) per mile or major fraction of a mile scheduled per day or $19.20, whichever is greater - (now $28.40)
 
At $32,500 for a bare bone model.

here is link for specs... MPG for 4 cylinder is 21mpg without our stop ang go. …..

does anyone know- it says eco start/stop - is that where it shuts off, everytime you come to a stop. then restarts as you press on the gas? the odd size tires 225/55/hr17 - plus i cringe everytime i see turbocharged 4 cly. - about the same highway mpg as a wrangler. i get about 14-16 on route, depending on a/c use.
 
Well, after reading this thread, and the memo.... I'm not on an Auxy Rt and my mileage isn't 108 or better.... and, my area is not getting a LOT of these Mercedes-Benz.. so I figure my chances are about slim to none.... and Slim just left town.... js.... :cry:
Hard to believe. Our routes are about 3 and 8 miles short of that number.

I am sure skeptical to see how the maintenance is handled on these. Wonder if they appreciate what a route like that does to brakes, transmissions, shocks, alignment, tires....I'd guess when one goes down suddenly, the carrier's old POV would resurface.

Edit: just saw the thing about them being for mostly paved roads. That kicks us out at the start. Dang. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have paved roads. The only pavement I see is about 6 miles of highway shoulder, and you don't appreciate that.
 
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They’ve called and asked if we had room for one in the parking lot, but did say it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting one. But if they’re thinking adding a vehicle, that means the city and aux rts are keeping theirs.
We are getting 4 in our 8 route office, not sure the happy recipients have thought about the $15000.00 or more they will loose on EMA.
 
the following is from the contract - if your not getting the minimum per day allowance of ema, currently $28.40, not $19.20, when using the per mile rate, you are getting screwed....you get the greater of any amounts, per hour, per mile, with the minimum being for 40 miles. you do not understand what you are entitled to. i've seen the paystub of the minimum aux. rote ema.


Auxiliary Assistance and Auxiliary Rural Carriers Unless a USPS owned or leased vehicle is provided, a leave replacement who is performing auxiliary assistance or is employed as an auxiliary rural carrier shall provide a vehicle and, in addition to compensation, shall be paid an EMA on a per-mile or per-hour basis, whichever is greater, based on the rate in effect under Section 9.2.J.3. but not to exceed the amount provided for in the special chart for the route stops and miles. Any changes in the EMA pursuant to the provisions in 9.2.J.3. will result in an adjustment of 5 cents per hour for each Article 9.2.J.5 17 adjustment of one-half cent (0.5¢) per mile

9.2.J.3. - Rate of EMA a. The equipment maintenance allowance base rate shall equal forty-eight cents (48.0¢) per mile or major fraction of a mile scheduled per day or $19.20, whichever is greater - (now $28.40)
My route is 34 miles. I'm not even on the chart. I'm an RCA and I am being paid properly for EMA.
 
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