Category Archives: News

US Postal Service Announces Third Quarter Results

In August the US Postal Service announced third quarter results for the period ending 6-30-2016. Despite an operating revenue increase of $1.2 billion over the same quarter in 2015, there was a net loss of $1.6 billion.

Shipping and package volumes increased by $645 million or 18.1%. However, delivering a package involves considerable additional processing expense as compared to delivering First Class Mail. Those expenses include labor hours and transportation. According to the USPS’s Form 10-Q submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission, “For 2015, Shipping and Packages revenues would have needed to increase by 260% in order to make up for the impact of the contribution provided by the volume losses of First-Class Mail for that year . . .”

USPS Announces Next Phase in Development of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles

In January of 2015 the United States Postal Service began the process of searching for the designers and manufacturer of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV).  Following the initial announcement 15 suppliers were selected to submit proposals to develop prototypes.  On September 17, the USPS announced the next phase of the process, with the selection…

Preview of Designs for 2017 Stamps

  The US Postal Service has announced a selection of new stamps for 2017.  The subjects of the stamps include John F. Kennedy, Flowers from the Garden, Uncle Sam’s Hat, and Sharks, along with several others.  May-Anne Penner, U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Executive Director says “Stamps are miniature works of art that tell America’s…

Additional 3,369 Ram ProMaster Vans for USPS

As part of its effort to replace the aging Long Life Vehicles, the US Postal Service has started taking delivery on a second order of vans from FCA. The entire order of 3,369 vans will be completed by the end of November.

Rep. Kaptur (D-OH) Introduces Amendment to Restore Postal Service Standards

Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)  recent amendment to House Appropriations Bill H.R. 5485  would require the US Postal Service to maintain and comply with July 2012 service standards for First Class Mail and periodicals.  In order to decrease expenses, the US Postal Service has recently lowered mail service standards.  Since the lower standards have been in…

Bi-Partisan Postal Reform Legislation in the House of Representatives

H.R. 5714, Postal Service Reform Act of 2016, was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 11 and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and to the House Ways and Means Committee for budget scoring. On July 12 the Oversight Committee issued a report to the full chamber recommending that the bill be considered further.

Postage Rates Scheduled to Decrease

On February 25, 2016 the US Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of intent to rollback Market Dominant prices. The new rates are expected to go into effect on April 10, 2016.

The USPS in the Obama Administration’s Budget

On February 9, 2016, the President submitted to Congress his Budget for Fiscal Year 2017.

The Appendix under Other Independent Agencies contained the Administration’s approach to resolving financial difficulties at the US Postal Service. The Administration promises to work with the Congress and Postal stakeholders to secure reforms that improve the efficiency of the USPS, update its business model and provide measures for financial relief.

Proposed Postal Reform Bill Addresses Service Standards

In The U. S. House of Representatives on March 1, 2016, Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) introduced H.R. 4565, also called the “Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016”. The general purpose of this bill is to address and improve declining USPS service standards and reinstate service standards that were in effect on July 1, 2012.

This bill would place a moratorium on closing or consolidating postal processing facilities. The moratorium would not prohibit closing post offices.