In a press release yesterday, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be changing the delivery schedule - mail five days of the week and packages six days of the week. The changes will be implemented the first full week of August. The USPS plans to maintain the needs of their customers and PO Box holders will continue to receive mail six days a week. USPS reports an increase of 14 percent in package volume since 2010. They will be maintaining the six day (Mon.-Sat.) schedule for package delivery as they expect package delivery to continue to increase.
Annually USPS expects to save $2 billion implementing this change in service after losing $16 billion last fiscal year. Although the post office does not use tax dollars for operating expenses, customers pay for the operating expenses through the sale of products. The USPS is a service provided to the people by the government as it receives some budgeted funding by Congress and does not pay taxes. Under the general powers of the postal service, it can determine and maintain their system of accounts and are revenue neutral.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe (appointed Oct. 2010) reports there has been a significant decrease in first class mail and this is why the changes were implemented. At a news conference, Postmaster Donahoe said in response to change in volume, “Hope is not a strategy.” Market research and research conducted by the USPS report that the large majority of customers are satisfied with moving to a five day delivery schedule. Congress has support and reservations to the Postmaster’s announcement. Some members have reported that this is a responsible action by the post office, and postal unions are supporting the ousting of the Postmaster as a result.
Comments