USPS proposal might affect how quickly you get your mail

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – A United States Postal Service proposal may affect how soon you get your mail.

The USPS says the proposed changes will save them about $3 billion each year, which is something they need after the company lost more than $87 billion from 2007 to 2020.

The proposed changes seek to improve service while reducing the cost.

The system would process, transport and deliver mail and packages through an integrated network. The key changes can be found below:

• Help customers track their mail easier through switching to five digit zip code standards.
• Aim to process mail earlier by adjusting pick-up and drop-off times between post offices far away from reginal hubs and processing plants.
• Expanding the reach of most classes of mail and packages traveling through the network, resulting in faster delivery for some.

However, not all customers will experience faster delivery under the proposal.

A USPS spokesperson sent 10 On Your Side a statement saying, in part, “ If mail enters the mail stream from a rural area, it may take 12-24 hours extra but still within our service standards.”

We spoke with customers at a local post office who, after hearing about the proposal, said they don’t have high hopes.

“Yeah, I hadn’t heard about it, but I mean, the mail is slow anyways so,” one man said.

Another woman told 10 On Your Side she already has enough problems with the postal service.

“My [mail] come in three or four days late already. So, I don’t know what the problem is. I don’t know. I think they’re giving them a lot of money and they’re not – we’re not getting the benefit of the mail delivery,” she said.

Senator Tim Kaine sent a statement in response to the proposal, which can be found below:

Over the past year, Virginians have experienced significant mail delays because U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reforms have been poorly implemented and not received buy-in from USPS employees on the ground. I have brought Virginians’ experiences to the highest levels of leadership at USPS and will continue to push the agency to ensure any plan that is implemented does not negatively impact customer service for the millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service.

Tim Kaine

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