New San Francisco Postmaster Sworn In, Wants To Innovate In Digital Age

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)—San Francisco's new postmaster was sworn in by Mayor Ed Lee Thursday, but the job isn't quite what it used to be thanks to the advent of email, smartphones and the digital age.

The Marvelettes Motown Classic begged with "Please Mr. Postman", but the new postmaster is a woman, just like the two before her, and she's determined to keep the post office relevant but knows she faces some serious challenges.

Raj Sanghera worked her way up from letter carrier to the person in charge.

"Yes, we have a declining workload in first-class mail; however, our parcel business is flourishing right now. We provide the best service with the least cost," Sanghera noted.

She said there are no plans to shut any local post offices or to eliminate Saturday delivery.

<strong>KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:</strong>

"How do we embrace technology planned for ten years ahead and make the postal service relevant to all of us? It still has a critical function and it always will," said Mayor Lee of the troubled U.S. Post Office.

Sanghera mentioned hopes of trying to offer same day mail service in San Francisco as a way to perhaps compete with private services that have made some significant cuts into their business.

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