Buses follow predictable routes at predictable times.

The drivers who collect mail from fixed mailboxes do the same thing.

Why not mount a mailbox in the side of a bus ? The bus passes fixed points at known times. When it returns to the depot, its mail can be automatically unloaded and fed into the postal system.

In this way the latest postal collection would automatically be the time of the last bus to pass any particular point.

This service would supplement, not entirely supersede, existing fixed mail boxes. But it might cut down on the number of boxes needed and ensure more efficient deliveries.
-- 8th of 7, Oct 18 2009

Hupp Mail http://www.flickr.c...-72157603342165918/
Those saturday mornings watching B&W films were not wasted. [bigsleep, Oct 18 2009]

Royal Mail Post Bus http://postalherita...vingthemail/postbus
Includes Daleks [pocmloc, Oct 18 2009]

Fries for 8th of 7 Supermarket_20Trolley
[goldbb, Oct 19 2009]

Useful way of bypassing the mail strike.
-- Ian Tindale, Oct 18 2009


I like this plan, and it could easily be implemented. [+]
-- 21 Quest, Oct 18 2009


and if you don't live on a bus-route ? [-]
-- FlyingToaster, Oct 18 2009


Then get a taxi to one of the stops. Duh!
-- kaz, Oct 18 2009


FT, I imagine this would implemented in places with lots of bus stops, like in urban areas and inner-city suburbs. In my town, there are far more bus stops than mailboxes, so this would be very convenient. The mailboxes in areas off the route would probably be left where they are, so you wouldn't be affected.

I've often wondered why we need such mailboxes, however, when all you have to do is put the flag up on your household mailbox and leave it there for the postman. Just put a lock on it with a key that only postmen have, like the TSA-approved locks for airline luggage, and it's just as secure and you don't have to leave your home.
-- 21 Quest, Oct 18 2009


That system is not extant in most countries, [21Q]. Posting mail involves dropping it in collection boxes, usually.
-- UnaBubba, Oct 19 2009


I think [bigsleep]'s link should be developed further - after all, who wants to wait for a bus just to post a letter?
The bus should collect the postbox from the bus stop post, and afix a new empty one.
Boxes would be stored on a bandolier.
-- coprocephalous, Oct 19 2009


You could have a special bus specifically for information. And another one running parallel, purely to look up the location of the pick-up points and destinations. And something that tells the time.
-- Ian Tindale, Oct 19 2009


Do you want fries with that, [IT] ?
-- 8th of 7, Oct 19 2009


Don't be silly 8/7, a french fry bus would be redundant, since you could get fries on the Supermarket Trolley.
-- goldbb, Oct 19 2009


It's a bit too practical for me, but have this crumb anyway [+]
-- xenzag, Oct 19 2009



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