BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Sue McBoom from Burlington is sad to see the end of Saturday mail. The United States Postal Service is cutting back delivery service. USPS made the decision in response to a nearly 16 billion dollars loss in 2012 and simply lack of volume. "Much of the mail that has disappeared from the mailing system and the postal system is not coming back. People continue to migrate to electronic alternatives, online ordering, online communication of all sorts, and social media that continues to grow. We know we are going to have less mail," said Tom Rizzo of the United States Postal Service.
In 2006 the mail service peaked and USPS delivered 213 billion pieces of mail. Since then, business is down 25%. Cutting back delivery to Monday through Friday, will save an estimated 2 Billion dollars a year. "We have actually been suggesting it for years. We have not gotten the overwhelming concurrence. But if you look today at many of the congressional comments, most of them are conceding that this is a common sense and good business decision," said Rizzo. The change will effect first class mail delivery ONLY. Packages, and priority and express mail will continue to be delivered Monday through Saturday.
Reactions to the change are mixed. "It's not really a huge deal for me, I do a lot of my stuff electronically anyways, like my bills, I do all through my bank. I think the biggest impact it will have in my life would be my NetFlix DVD's arriving," said Burlington resident, Jeffrey Moy.
"I feel that just taking Saturday out of it, I'm worried that they will take another day out some time in the future. Usually when they do something once, it's not the only time they are going to do it," said Burlington resident, Jason Finnerty.
"I'm on the side of 'I think it's a good idea,' I think that it's a good place to save money. I think for the most part, the mail we get monday through Friday is fine," said Burlington resident, Peter Goldsmith.
McBroom agrees. But likes the option, just in case. "Actually, I don't depend on Saturday mail, but it could happen," said McBroom.
The new schedule begins August 5th of this year.
