U.S. Post Office may cut one day of mail delivery per week

[Benzgirl]

WASHINGTON -- Massive deficits could force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery, the postmaster general told Congress on Wednesday, in asking lawmakers to lift the requirement that the agency deliver mail six days a week.

If the change happens, that doesn't necessarily mean an end to Saturday mail delivery. Previous post office studies have looked at the possibility of skipping some other day when mail flow is light, such as Tuesday.

Faced with dwindling mail volume and rising costs, the post office was $2.8 billion in the red last year. "If current trends continue, we could experience a net loss of $6 billion or more this fiscal year," Potter said in testimony for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.

Total mail volume was 202 billion items last year, over 9 billion less than the year before, the largest single volume drop in history.

And, despite annual rate increases, Potter said 2009 could be the first year since 1946 that the actual amount of money collected by the post office declines.

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2...t_one_day.html

[RaggedyAnn]

I swear there are days where our postman already takes the day off. I've been saying that for a couple of years now.

[groovypq]

My mom works for the post office and they've been batting this idea around for awhile now. I'm surprised they didn't do it when fuel prices were higher.

[RU OX Alum]

It might as well not come on Tuesdays anyway.

saturday whould be a better day to cut i would think

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

It might as well not come on Tuesdays anyway.

For us, Wednesdays are coupon and flyer days. Goes straight to the recycle bin.

[KSigkid]

Eh...I don't see this as a big deal. If it saves some money, go for it.

[Kappamd]

I don't think this would be a huge deal.

Just don't raise the price of stamps again.

[aephi alum]

I think the postal service is planning to raise rates in May.

Meh. I'll happily give up one day a week of mail delivery if it keeps postage rates down.

[AGDee]

It seems like cutting Tuesdays would be more difficult for businesses, many of which aren't open on Saturday to receive mail anyway. I'm definitely glad I bought "forever" stamps even long before the last increase. I used to go through a book of stamps every two months paying bills but there are NO bills that I pay through the postal service anymore.

[Thetagirl218]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Eh...I don't see this as a big deal. If it saves some money, go for it.

I heard a Post Office employee on talk radio saying that if they canceled a day, they would need more people at the actual post office because of all the excess mail. While that would be more jobs, it might be cheaper than all the gas.

I do understand mail back up though....when I was in school I worked at the campus post office. We were always backed up on Monday's because we were closed Sunday!

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I think the postal service is planning to raise rates in May.

Meh. I'll happily give up one day a week of mail delivery if it keeps postage rates down.

Ditto!

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I think the postal service is planning to raise rates in May.

So much for my *Forever Stamps*

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

So much for my *Forever Stamps*

That's the point of your "forever stamps". They are still good, even after the rates go up.

[SusanB]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Eh...I don't see this as a big deal. If it saves some money, go for it.

What about Netflix? And stuff bought online? I don't about you, but we are all anxious for the mail.

And if they cut Saturday does that mean they'll stop doing pickups on Saturdays too?