Metris

[Rt2mailman]

The reason most of the in depth maintenance work on the Metris takes so long is because it goes back to the dealer (from where it is leased). The biggest problem with tires is alignment, which has to be redone with specialized Mercedes tools, an expensive job at the dealer.
The Metris is not the new Usps developed and approved vehicle, (the duck bill) only a temporary filler until the Usps vehicle is ready.

 

[ATCBigE]

The main downside is poor in snow, the LLV does not offer 1 thing better than the metris.

Disagree. LLV has several things better than Metris.

#1 No cage
#2 It goes 100X better in snow than Metris
#3 Adjustable Tray

In a LLV I can deliver 90% of my packages without opening the back door. I also have access to 100% of my mail by walking around to the other side door to retrieve the next tray (which is stored under table). It's all in how you organize the LLV load. The LLV with two shelves is very efficient, they are just old and run like crap.

Yep. If you do things right in LLV it is a very solid delivery vehicle.

As I have said before, for being almost 36 years old, the LLV were well-thought out for delivering. Yes they lack safety and few other things, but at the time they were pretty solid design and well-thought out at least IMO.

 

[Twistofcain]

Depends on how you carry mail and packages. I case everything and bundle with straps and work oyt of 1 bundle so most of the time I can stack all of my mail on 1 side of the tray leaving space for 2 tubs of small parcels and the bundle I'm working out of. I keep mid size packages between the seats and under the table for the large mail boxes. Keep most big packages in back on right side so rarely walk all the way around the van. I do the same in the LLVs but no side doors. 95 rural miles daily is a longer more miserable day in a LLV.

Nice! I usually stack 2 trays of DPS and 5 trays of spurs on the front metal rack. 4 bundles of flats on floor, with additional DPS and sprs under metal rack. And about 10 dismounts in the front. Every else goes in the back. Bungee cords holds trays down.

 

[Knitting]

The reason most of the in depth maintenance work on the Metris takes so long is because it goes back to the dealer (from where it is leased). The biggest problem with tires is alignment, which has to be redone with specialized Mercedes tools, an expensive job at the dealer.
The Metris is not the new Usps developed and approved vehicle, (the duck bill) only a temporary filler until the Usps vehicle is ready.

I think the Metris is a new permanent vehicle for rural routes with all the new duckbills going to city routes.

https://naps.org/files/galleries/Purchase_COTS_RHD_Vehicles_Mills_5_5_20.pdf

The extended letter indicates the purpose of the Metris is to eliminate EMA routes. Any city carrier using one is probably being furnished one as a filler until the new electric vehicles start coming in. Right now I don't see anything that outlines rural routes being furnished electric vehicles.

Also, for another depressing laugh:

USPS Moves Forward with Awards to Modernize and Electrify the Nation’s Largest Federal Fleet - Newsroom - About.usps.com

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service awarded contracts today for 9,250 commercially available left-hand drive (LHD) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as well as initial orders for more than 14,000 charging stations to be deployed at Postal Service facilities.

about.usps.com

USPS is buying 9000 left side drive vehicles again.

 

[Rt2mailman]

I still believe they are leasing the Metris, I believe they are talking about purchasing the contracts, lease contracts.

 

[Atimm693]

I think the Metris is a new permanent vehicle for rural routes with all the new duckbills going to city routes.

https://naps.org/files/galleries/Purchase_COTS_RHD_Vehicles_Mills_5_5_20.pdf

The extended letter indicates the purpose of the Metris is to eliminate EMA routes. Any city carrier using one is probably being furnished one as a filler until the new electric vehicles start coming in. Right now I don't see anything that outlines rural routes being furnished electric vehicles.

Also, for another depressing laugh:

USPS Moves Forward with Awards to Modernize and Electrify the Nation’s Largest Federal Fleet - Newsroom - About.usps.com

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service awarded contracts today for 9,250 commercially available left-hand drive (LHD) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as well as initial orders for more than 14,000 charging stations to be deployed at Postal Service facilities.

about.usps.com

USPS is buying 9000 left side drive vehicles again.

Three years ago when that came out, several carriers here were told they were getting a Metris, we only got two and they both went to city. I think plans changed.

 

[eunomios]

Three years ago when that came out, several carriers here were told they were getting a Metris, we only got two and they both went to city. I think plans changed.

Any City Carrier who has had a documented Heat related illness can go thru their Union to get a Metris assigned to their route.

Postal management will pull a metris from a Rural route and replace with a LLV for this purpose.

 

[eunomios]

The Metris is a leased vehicle, no carrier will have them after about 5 years. Rurals will most likely be given the city side hand-me-down Llv/FFVs until all the duckbills are in.

When time comes to end lease who is responsible for the road rash on Driver door? Regular, Sub, ARC, or the sups/PM that used it while a route was Vacant?

 

[Gotrope]

When time comes to end lease who is responsible for the road rash on Driver door? Regular, Sub, ARC, or the sups/PM that used it while a route was Vacant?

Most metris were purchased because Mercedes ain't that dumb. Other companies lease them. But, other companies also do maintenance.

 

[Worve]

Most metris were purchased because Mercedes ain't that dumb. Other companies lease them. But, other companies also do maintenance.

What’s this maintenance you speak of seriously. The one metris we have is overdue for oil change by 4K miles . all 4 tires are 5-10 psi low, coolant is low, oil is low, can’t forget no washer fluid, list is endless. Reg can’t be bothered to out in repair tags like I used to. It’s left for me to do which I do every week . I use it Sundays and holidays only, not enough subs they always work K day.

 

[Gotrope]

What’s this maintenance you speak of seriously. The one metris we have is overdue for oil change by 4K miles . all 4 tires are 5-10 psi low, coolant is low, oil is low, can’t forget no washer fluid, list is endless. Reg can’t be bothered to out in repair tags like I used to. It’s left for me to do which I do every week . I use it Sundays and holidays only, not enough subs they always work K day.

Which is why Mercedes made USPS purchase them. They don't want them back. They know.