BIG SPRING, Texas — Since Feb. 18, customers of the Big Spring Post Office have been unable to mail packages (unless they are prepaid) and complete passport applications at the facility.
According to the United States Postal Service, there is an internet outage that was caused by a technical issue with a console switch, as observed by the external vendor.
As of Feb. 27, the USPS was not able to provide an estimated time when the issue will be resolved.
"Postal customers can drop off prepaid packages and purchase postage stamps when paying in cash." USPS said. "This outage has not affected delivery services, and customers can still pick up left notice packages."
There are signs posted at the Big Spring Post Office entrances that read "Sorry for the inconvenience, the internet is down. We can only do package pickup until further notice."
Don White is a long-time Big Spring resident who has been struggling with sending his packages since the outage.
"I’m not trying to put down the post office, but it just seems unusual circumstance that they’re going through," White said. "But to the post office themselves I would say I'd call their IT people and get them here to fix it. I mean if I can do it, why can’t a government office? Especially somebody as important as the post office."
One of the city's elected officials said the inconvenience caused them to drive all the way to the Odessa Post Office. The outage got in the way of their passport appointment.
Jayne Calhoun has relied on the Big Spring Post Office for more than 45 years. According to the USPS, the Big Spring Post Office is the only facility dealing with an internet outage at this time.
“Everybody has problems with internet so I feel like we should understand when the internet is down,” said Calhoun.
The Postal Service uses a third-party vendor for internet services.
Retail Services can be obtained at the Stanton Post Office, 101 N. St. Mary’s, Stanton, TX. 79782.
Passport appointments must be scheduled online at www.usps.com. The nearest available facility is the Midland Post Office, 10000 Loop 40, Midland, TX. 79711.