Post expands Tirol network with 125 post partners

Austria’s postal service now operates around 125 post partner locations in Tirol, ORF reported, marking 25 years since the model was introduced in the province.

The first Tirol pilot project opened in Tarrenz at the end of 2001. Post partners were established to maintain nationwide access to postal services as regular post offices closed.

Customers can send letters and parcels, arrange mail forwarding, set up holiday mailboxes and issue postal authorisations. Holders of a bank99 account can also make deposits and withdrawals and carry out transfers.

The locations are run by businesses and public bodies across the province. About one third are operated by food retailers, one quarter by municipalities and around 15 percent by tobacconists. Other partners include electronics retailers, service companies, petrol stations, hospitality businesses and stationery shops.

Michael Schwaiger, whose business is a post partner in Kirchdorf in Tirol, said the cooperation brought additional customers to his shop, many of whom also used its main product range.

The Austrian Post said post partners were an important part of the postal network and were well received by the public. Post Director General Walter Oblin called the model a “special success story”, saying it provided postal, banking and mobile phone services close to people’s homes, often with longer opening hours.

Municipalities and tourism associations have also taken on the role in some places. The model has nevertheless faced criticism because operating a post partner location is often not profitable.