US streamlines appeals process for post office closures
US regulators have adopted new streamlined procedures for appeals against the closure of post offices. The Postal Regulatory Commission said simplified rules would help make it easier for people to file appeals if they do not have access to the Internet, allow people to submit comments without formally intervening in the process and also streamline the Commission’s review process.
The moves will also allow more time for stakeholders to respond to Postal Service motions and briefs, the Commission said.
The new rules came as the result of a consultation held since August last year, shortly after the US Postal Service announced its intention to review around 3,600 of its 33,000 post offices for possible closure.
Loss-making USPS wants to save around $200m a year in costs by transferring services from under-used post offices to alternative retail channels.
Ruth Goldway, chairman of the Commission, said this week: “As the Postal Service has moved forward to reduce its retail network, and the Commission has received an increasing number of appeals of post office closings, it is important to simplify the process and make it easier for the public to participate in and to understand our decision-making process.
“The new rules will allow postal customers to submit their petitions and supporting documentation in plain language. In addition, these changes will save the Commission money,” the Commission chairman added.
The Commission has reviewed, or is currently considering, 125 post office closure appeals since the start of October, having completed 100 appeals in the year ending September 2011.
USPS has imposed a moratorium on post office closures until May 15. The Commission said it was expecting further appeals to come forward after the lifting of the moratorium.
