Welcome to You Asked…Patch Answers where we answer readers questions. We received several questions about the United States Postal Service’s current financial situation. Patch readers want to know more about it, and what they plan to do to recover. Here’s your answer.
1. Sorting facilities. Why has the USPS put so much money into the expansion of facilities and sorting equipment (like in North Reading) when mail volume has been decreasing?
The USPS put money into the expansion of the North Reading facility on Main Street to accommodate Flat Sorter Sequencing (FSS), which was designed to save money in the future.
Communications Program Specialist for the Greater Boston Postal District Dennis Tarmey said, “As the mail goes so through an automated process, the mail sortation is more efficient and creates savings in the long run as the sortation process is an automated one as opposed to one which is labor-intensive. Housing the rather large FSS machine is an investment in this automated process which will help the USPS remain viable in the coming years.”
2. Junk Mail. It seems that first class is decreasing, but “junk mail” increases. Why not raise rates for that type of mail?
Because of rate structures, raising the price for junk mail is not an option.
“At the Postal Service, we do not consider any class of mail as ‘junk mail’. We are part of a trillion dollar mailing industry which includes advertisers, mailing houses, printers etc. Advertisers use mail to get their message out because it makes business sense and helps them grow their business.” Tarmey said. “Growth of America’s businesses is good for our economy. Rates structure may change in the future, but again, there are legal mandates relative to postage rates that are in place.”
3. Local consolidation. Why can’t local post offices be consolidated, instead of each town having separate offices?
The USPS is in the process of consolidating offices across the country.
“Consolidation of offices has been going on nationwide and will continue to be a focus as we seek to right-size our organization. At this time the Postal Service cannot close a Post Office simply because it operates at a deficit. Our Postmaster General has asked Congress to change that law, but until that law is changed, we will abide by the law as it is currently written,” said Tarmey. “Since July of 2011, 3700 of our 32,000 Post Offices are being studied for possible discontinuance.”