Thursday, March 24, 2011

Divided PRC Presents Its Opinion on Saturday Delivery

A divided Postal Regulatory Commission just issued (early afternoon Eastern time) its advisory opinion on whether the U.S. Postal Service should be allowed to discontinue Saturday delivery.

After a complex analysis, each commissioner wrote a separate opinion suggesting that the commissioners agreed that USPS's projections regarding cost savings are too rosy. But they could not agree on whether it should be allowed to switch to five-day delivery.

While agreeing on many points, "we did not agree on the broader policy concerns arising from the Postal Service Proposal," wrote PRC Chairwoman Ruth Goldway.

The Postalnews Blog has more details.

9 comments:

Ed Mayhew said...

This is not a surprising commentary by the commission. Even though tier opinion is non-binding they don't want to be perceived as the guiding force endorsing the discontinuance. Interesting to note that the savings in the new projection for eliminating Saturday delivery is almost exactly what annual Periodicals revenue is. Maybe they should consider earmarking those funds to maintain the service on Saturday and change thinking about cost coverage.

Brian Perry said...

How about they use that savings to pay off the $15 billion debt that they owe.

Anonymous said...

As for the statement by Brian Perry- what about the 50-75 BILLION owed to the USPS? If OPM gives the USPS their own money back- there would be no need for any of this

Anonymous said...

It took them a year to say that they can't decide?

cigdecker said...

And we pay these guys. Why?

Dave T said...

Brian, the USPS doesn't owe 15 billion, but has overpaid 75 billion to the government which was mostly used to pay military pensions and social security. The USPS has, and still is, a form of revenue for the government. It receives NO money (i.e.tax dollars) yet it continues to be forced to OVERPAY money it no longer easily generates.

Anonymous said...

The government has been stealing the post office profits just like social security it goes into the federal budget but the government spends it for war. it will never change

Rich G said...

I think the Postal Service should stay with 6 day delivery. I also think that Each route should be delivered every other day M-W-F, or T-T-S. Thus making each carrier responsible for two routes. This would reduce the carrier compliment by over 50% when T_^'s and reliefs are taken into account. Also the reduction in vehicles. fuel, and repairs would have the same reduction. This would give the POstal Service the greatest savings.

Anonymous said...

With increasing gas prices, how can the PO keep up with EMA costs? Saturday mail delivery is not necessary, and proven by the number of customers who don't even pick up mail from their boxes on Saturday! As for RX deliveries..it's a no brainer, order ahead so you don't run out!! There is no doubt, Saturday delivery needs to end!