INDIANAPOLIS -- A spokesperson for the US Postal Service elected not to answer questions about “pockets” of delays leading to later-than-expected deliveries of packages in Indianapolis this holiday season. “A lot of it is staffing,” said Paul Toms, president of Branch 39 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Mail carriers reach tentative contract with USPS that includes pay raises and air-conditioned trucks FOX59/CBS4 became aware of delayed parcels from social media posts and messages from viewers. One viewer sent a screenshot of the USPS tracking of an expected package. It shows the item reached Indy on Dec. 5, but it took a full week to reach its final destination. Toms explained a massive, new facility on Brookville Road was opened with the hopes of hiring hundreds. That recruiting task has come up short. “They don’t have it done yet," Toms said. Toms said compounding the problem is a shortage of delivery vehicles for letter carriers and parcel deliverers to move the usual glut of holiday packages. “In the past, they would have their extra people come in (to) just deliver excess parcels, they don't have vehicles for them,” Toms said. USPS is in the midst of a $40 billion plan to improve processing, transportation and delivery networks across the country. FOX59/CBS4 reached out to USPS requesting an on-the-record, on-camera interview about delivery concerns in central Indiana. Instead, Strategic Communications Specialist Susan Wright provided a statement. It did not address possible issues with hiring or vehicles. “We gladly work to address any specific issue when brought to our attention and encourage customers to reach out via our website,” Wright said. USPS proposes changes to save $3 billion per year, starting in 2025 The statement included USPS’s so-called “send-by” dates for making sure a parcel reaches its destination through its tiers of delivery service. For delivery by Dec. 25, USPS recommends the following: -Ground Advantage/First Class service - send by Dec. 18 -Priority Mail service - send by Dec. 19 -Priority Mail Express service - send by Dec. 21 Toms suggested that residents should look to make their purchases as quickly as possible when asked if he was confident USPS could accept a parcel on Dec. 21 and deliver it by Dec. 25 “No, I wouldn't be. I would do it as early as possible. Don't delay any more than you have to," Toms said.