In message

, at 10:17:58 on Fri, 14 Mar 2014, Recliner
remarked:
But perhaps each postie now delivers more items than before?

Not to my household. I currently get an average of about two letters a
day [I don't count their 'three a day' junk mail flyer allocation].

Back in the day I'd have got about a dozen, several of which were
usefully actioned later that day, rather than the following day [it's
difficult to have a day-job and also pick up your daily post from the
doormat much after about 8am].

I don't mean more letters per property, but more items delivered in total
per shift.

If the letters are spread thinner per household, I don't see how that could be the case.

Because they work longer hours, and don't spend unproductive time walking
or cycling to the start of the round.

How do they get there if not by walking or cycling? Every postie I've
encountered does the rounds on foot or by bike, even if they've bought
their own car to get them from the depot to the start of the round.
--
Roland Perry