US Postal Service backs down on proposed delivery system

The United States Postal Service’s proposed changes to the national delivery schedule was denied by Congress on Tuesday.

The U.S. Postal Service had proposed a new schedule that would allow package delivery Monday through Saturday and mail delivery Monday through Friday.

These proposed changes would have taken effect the week of Aug. 5, 2013.
According to a press release from the Postal Service, the agency will wait until Congress passes legislation that will implement a financially appropriate and responsible delivery schedule.

The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will continue to support the move to a new delivery schedule throughout the country.

The transition will save $2 billion annually, according to the press release.

This cost-saving plan is part of the Postal Service’s five-year plan to restore financial stability to the agency.

The Postal Service made it clear, according to the release, that it is not possible for the agency to make the significant budget cuts needed to continue operation without changing its national delivery schedule.

In addition to these cuts from the delivery schedule, the Postal Service is examining ways to lower total workforce costs and boost revenue, which may include rate increases on mail.

— Bridget Ameche