The Postal Service has filed plans with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to improve mail processing and transportation and explained how these improvements will align with proposed refinements within its existing service standards for mail and package products.
Last month, the Postal Service held a virtual conference about the proposed changes, soliciting feedback from the mailing and shipping community as well as members of the public. Comments received during the virtual conference have been considered and USPS has now filed its formal request for a PRC advisory opinion.
After receiving an advisory opinion from the PRC, the Postal Service will consider the PRC’s opinion and finalize its decision.
“As we integrate our transportation, processing, and delivery network to logically sequence the flow of mail and packages by deploying improved operating practices in our redesigned facilities network, we expect to improve service reliability, reduce cost and grow our business,” Postmaster General Louis DeJoy noted earlier in the filing process.
“Despite the many improvements we have made since the release of the Delivering for America plan, our service requirements, facilities infrastructure, business rules and operating practices have continued to reflect a Postal Service designed for three decades ago,” he continued.
DeJoy pointed out that since 1997, there has been an 80 percent decline in single-piece First-Class Mail volume, a significant expansion of delivery points, growth in the percentage of mail obtaining discounts through workshare programs, and growth of the USPS package business.
“Our 10-year Delivering for America plan is transforming our network to better reflect today’s market demands and the current volumes and product mix,” he said. “This revamped, integrated network, designed for a more unified, logically sequenced movement of mail and packages, combined with modifications to our service standards, but still within the current day ranges, will enable us to operate more efficiently and reliably, grow our business and give us a chance for a viable future.”
The Postal Service’s Oct. 4 news release has additional information.
The Postal Service will not act on the proposed changes any sooner than 90 days after this PRC filing. As such, the proposed changes will not impact Election Mail for the upcoming election or the Postal Services preparedness for the 2024 peak holiday mailing season.
