No mail on Saturday
In an attempt to cut over $2 billion from their budget, the United States Postal Service has announced that they will no longer be delivering regular mail on Saturdays, beginning August 5, 2013. However, they will continue to stay open on Saturdays to handle the ever increasing number of packages now dominating their delivery routes. This is primarily due to the 14% increase in package volume since 2010 and projections for strong package growth in the coming decade, according to the PCC Insider. This moves comes as the Postal Service continues to face challenges trying to stay solvent and competitive in the mail and package delivery market.
70% of people approve
The Postal Service has unsuccessfully proposed a five-day delivery schedule in previous years, so this seems to be a pre-emptive announcement in an effort to push Congress to pass the measure. The Postal Service, while an independent agency that receives no tax dollars to operate, still requires congressional approval to make such a move. According to market research from both the Postal Service and major media outlets, 70% of people approve this service shift, which is what the Postal Service will likely leverage to affirm their position.
Legislative approval from the 113th Congress is what the Postal Service is waiting to hear. Having already slashed about $15 billion from their operating budget since 2006 (source PCC Insider), while continuing to provide uninterrupted service should be a compelling argument to allow this mail delivery shift.
Volume will be overwhelming
Single-point delivery designated properties like military and university housing are expected to be impacted with higher volumes of mail on Mondays and with the continued increase of package deliveries throughout the week. Both FedEx and UPS have seen a 14% increase in package volume since 2010, partially attributed by the 16% increase in online shopping since 2011 with projections expecting to increase by about 7% every year through 2016. If it was busy before, then this shift combined with high overall package volume, properties can expect some additional challenges with this unprecedented move by the Postal Service.
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