The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) might slow down delivery times for some customers as it aims to cut billions from its annual operating costs.
In a statement released on August 22, USPS announced a pre-filing conference to discuss “plans to improve mail processing and transportation” nationwide.
While customers living within 50 miles of major processing centers may see faster delivery times, those in rural areas could experience delays.
The statement noted that delivery times might increase for certain ZIP code pairs depending on their location. However, it did not specify how many ZIP codes could be impacted.
USPS reported that most rural mail is currently delivered within three days, and this would largely remain unchanged. However, some rural deliveries could be delayed by 12 to 24 hours, still within the two to five-day window. Mail that previously took three days might now take four.
A USPS fact sheet indicates that these proposed changes would not affect 75 percent of first-class mail. The changes, which could save USPS about $3 billion in operational costs, won’t take effect until after the November election and the holiday season.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stated that the changes are necessary to “save the Postal Service,” emphasizing that minor delays are a small price to pay for addressing long-standing neglect within the organization.
The changes require approval from USPS’s government board and a review by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
