The Postal Service recently implemented significant changes affecting service on a nationwide basis. Changes announced by the Postal Service as part of the Delivering for America plan include:
- Implementing the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) initiative nationwide. Under RTO, mail dropped off at Post Offices and collection boxes more than 50 miles from a regional hub is collected the next day instead of the same day.
- When mail is entered on a Saturday, Sundays are no longer counted as part of the service standard for days needed to deliver mail. This change also applies to mail that is entered on a day before a federal holiday.
- Slowing service standards for some locations.
Service standards refer to the number of days a customer should expect for delivery of a mail piece. Standards vary by mail category based and the distance that mail must travel to reach its destination.
As required by law, the Commission issued an Advisory Opinion on January 31, 2025 analyzing the Postal Service changes. The Opinion highlighted negative impacts on rural communities. It also noted that pilot versions of RTO led to slower mail delivery and failed to save costs as hoped for by the Postal Service. The Commission concluded that the Postal Service’s plan is unlikely to achieve its projected cost savings or improve the financial health of the Postal Service.
Find the current service standards for your location here:Â Service Standards | USPS
See FAQs about the Commission’s Advisory Opinion here:Â FAQS-N2024-1.pdf.
Read more: Postal Regulatory Commission