USPS moves to remove cost and maintain customer access.

The Postal Service announced that 413 retail stations and branches remain under consideration for possible consolidation. This announcement updates a study begun earlier this summer that examined a wide range of stations and branches in urban and suburban areas across the country, focusing on offices in close proximity to determine where consolidations might be feasible, while maintaining customer access to postal services.

With nearly 37,000 Post Offices, stations, branches, contract and community post offices, the U.S. Postal Service has the largest retail network in the United States. In addition, about 56,000 other locations such as supermarkets, drug stores, and other retailers sell postage and selected postal services. Nearly 18,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) also dispense sheets of stamps. And, postage can be purchased and printed on personal computers at usps.com.

Unlike most federal agencies, America’s national mail system receives no tax subsidy for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations, according to the company’s statement.

The announcement is part of the Station and Branch Optimization and Consolidation initiative that is currently being reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). As part of this proceeding, the Postal Service is required to file with the PRC the names of facilities under review.

The filing does not represent a final decision on consolidation. No final actions will be taken regarding consolidation as a result of this initiative until after Oct. 2, 2009.