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Postal Service Overhaul Begins Today
Sweeping changes at the United States Postal Service (USPS) are underway, with the first phase launching today, April 1st. These changes, part of the USPS’s 10-year “Delivering for America” plan, aim to modernize operations, cut costs, and improve delivery transparency. A second phase of changes is scheduled for July 1st.
While the USPS projects $36 billion in savings over the next decade and insists on-time delivery will remain a priority, the Postal Regulatory Commission has expressed concerns about potential service disruptions, particularly in rural communities.
The changes will impact a wide range of services, from First-Class Mail and periodicals to package services like Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage. While the USPS maintains that 75% of First-Class Mail will retain current delivery standards and 14% will see improvements, approximately 11% of users can expect delays. While some services may see longer delivery times, the USPS assures customers that overall delivery times will not exceed the current five-day standard for First-Class Mail.
To help customers navigate these changes, the USPS has launched a new online tool that allows users to check delivery standards between specific ZIP codes and view expected delivery dates for various mail classes.