USPRC approves Post Office Box request
The US Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved a request by USPS to change the designation of some Post Office Boxes from monopoly to competitive designation – a move to allow greater flexibility to meet the changing needs of customers.
Although the ruling affects less than one half of 1% of all Post Office Box service, it will allow the Postal Service to test consumer interest in enhancements to the current P.O. Box offering and will help shape future Postal Service P.O. Box service and access strategies.
Overall, there are more than 13m P.O. Boxes in more than 30,000 Post Offices across the country. The ruling affects only about 32,000 P.O Boxes in 49 Post Offices. Each of the affected sites is within a half mile of a competing box service provider and all provide door delivery to all addresses within their ZIP Code area.
Today’s marketplace is fast paced. Moving some P.O. Boxes into the competitive product category gives the Postal Service greater flexibility to innovate and to respond more quickly to changing requirements of our customers.
In May, the Postal Service outlined an aggressive plan of action that included cost cutting, increased productivity, and an array of legislative and regulatory changes necessary to maintain a viable Postal Service for decades to come. The plan also stressed that the Postal Service will avail itself of the opportunities under current law to increase revenue and enhance customer service. The request to the PRC to move some Post Office Boxes from market dominant to competitive designation was filed in the spirit of that resolve.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
