Take a letter TNT
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• An overnight nationwide postal service specifically for business users called Supamail, is to be launched by TNT Express. The service will compete with the Post Office's Datapost UK operation.
The Supamail operation is part of a long-term attack on the Post Office's letters monopoly — currently protected by law. TNT wants legislation changes to allow it to extend the service and put its orange and white post boxes on Britain's street corners by the mid-1990s.
TNT will use its existing 3,000-strong vehicle fleet from its express parcels division and some of the 72 jet aircraft it is buying from British Aerospace, to carry out the Supamail service. It is also planning to buy up to 2,000 new vans as the service grows. The operation will be centred on TNT's existing main hub in Atherstone, with other regional depots and airports linking into the network.
The service will guarantee overnight delivery for parcels and letters. The minimum charge will be 28, compared with the Post Office's £11.40 minimum for Datapost and 18p charge for first-class letters. There will also be additional charges for delivery before 10.30am or to the Scottish islands or Northern Ireland.
Businessmen are prepared to pay extra to ensure rapid delivery, says Chris Atkinson, TNT's divisional general manager. The Post Office delivers only about 43% of first-class mail the day after posting, and many firms "no longer trust the established system".
The TNT white and orange mail boxes cannot be put on the streets, but the company hopes to attract commercial business by establishing them in hotels, office blocks and industrial estates.
The Post Office says TNT's criticism of its first-class service is irrelevant as Supamail is competing with Datapost, which already guarantees next day delivery. Its £11.40 charge includes insurance and before-10am delivery.