Email and online communications have been blamed for years as physical mail volumes have dipped and created financial burdens for the United States Post Office.
The latest impact of the digital communications revolution was apparent this morning as news came that the 237-year-old institution will end all first-class mail deliveries on Saturday beginning this summer.
Without question, this is the USPS’s biggest cost-cutting effort to date, but a “necessary” move in response to losing $16 billion during the last fiscal year.
According to estimates, the Saturday delivery reduction would save the USPS about $2 billion annually.
Packages will still be delivered six days a week and there will be no change to post office operating hours.
“The Postal Service is advancing an important new approach to delivery that reflects the strong growth of our package business and responds to the financial realities resulting from America’s changing mailing habits,” Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said this morning.
Are you surprised by or disappointed with the announcement?
