New standards expected to save USPS billions, improve delivery

The United States Postal Service introduced new service standards on Wednesday that the carrier said would save the federal government at least $36 billion over the next decade. The savings will come out of streamlined transportation and mail processing, along with real estate cost reductions, according to the agency’s statement. The changes will not impact the USPS’ five-day service window and will shorten day ranges for marketing mail, periodicals, and package services.

The postal service has a history of working under burdensome regulations that haven’t adapted to the modern mail volume, resulting in expensive and ineffective operations, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement. New standards will modernize the mail service and allow for a high-performing and financially viable organization, DeJoy added.

What exactly will the changes be?

• Postal workers will use a five-digit regional add-on behind the zip code for greater delivery precision instead of the three-digit add-on currently in use, according to a fact sheet.

• Mail tracking will be broken into three phases so customers have a clearer understanding of how the mail process works.

• Postal workers will be allowed to dispatch earlier from facilities and travel further when delivering, improving reliability and revenue for customers, especially those in rural areas.

When will these changes start? USPS planned to roll out the new standards in two phases, the first beginning on April 1 and the second on July 1.