Service Standards

PRC report on the feasibility of restoring service standards of 2012 and 2021

Steve HutkinsApril 19, 2023Blog, Featured, News

As part of the 2022 Appropriations Act, Congress directed the Postal Regulatory Commission “to analyze the feasibility of restoring service standards for market-dominant products that were in effect on July 1, 2012, including an examination of the resources and structural and operational changes needed, and the impacts on market growth and revenue.” Congress also directed the Commission to “conduct a … Read More

Reply to the USPS: How the new service standards will cause geographic discrimination

SteveJune 28, 2021Blog, Slideshow

Briefs and Replies have been submitted for the PRC’s Advisory Opinion on the USPS plan to slow down First Class mail. Here’s my Reply Brief.

Why the USPS proposal to reduce service standards will cause “undue discrimination”

SteveJune 21, 2021Blog, Slideshow

Because of their disparate impacts on regions of the country, the proposed changes will result in unreasonable and undue discrimination among users of the mail, in violation of 39 U.S. Code § 403(c).

Postal historian asks the PRC to return the Postal Service to a mission of service

Steve HutkinsJune 11, 2021Blog, Featured

Former letter carrier Phil Rubio says the way forward for the USPS is to reject DeJoy’s service standard cutbacks

Postal advocate testifies against reducing USPS service standards

SteveJune 8, 2021Blog, Slideshow

Postal advocate Douglas Carlson tells the PRC how slowing down the mail will cause a range of problems at his institution.

Is ending air mail unfair? Testimony for the PRC’s Advisory Opinion on Changing Service Standards

SteveJune 3, 2021Blog, Slideshow

The Postal Service is proposing to cut back on air transportation for First Class mail and perhaps eventually to end it completely. How would that impact different parts of the country?

How the postal reform bill may help the Postal Service slow down the mail

SteveMay 21, 2021Blog, Featured, Slideshow

There is much in the proposed legislation to recommend it, but there is no reason for Section 208 to be included. Congress should not be facilitating Postmaster General DeJoy’s efforts to slow down the mail.

Mapping out the changes in USPS service standards

SteveMay 6, 2021Blog, Slideshow

New dashboard on the PRC Advisory Opinion on the change in service standards

SteveApril 28, 2021Blog

The Postal Service has requested an Advisory Opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission concerning its plan to relax service standards on First Class mail and Periodicals. We started a new website page that provides easy access to the PRC’s docket (N2021-1), as well as some charts, tables, and blog posts about the proposal. You can find the page here; it’s … Read More

“Save the Post Office” launches new Service Performance Dashboard

SteveMarch 7, 2021Blog, Slideshow

The Dashboard provides easy access to the recent performance reports and lots of charts too.

The Postal Service wants to slow down the mail, Congress says not so fast

SteveFebruary 22, 2021Blog, Slideshow

The PMG wants to change service standards; the House Committee on Oversight and Reform wants to change the law.

The 2020 Mail Delays: Stats & Charts

SteveFebruary 14, 2021Slideshow

The PRC has been scrutinizing on-time service performance and requesting data about the scope and causes of mail delays

Updates on the USPS Service Performance Reports

SteveNovember 7, 2020Blog, Slideshow

All the daily and weekly reports, with links, highlights and analysis.

Lawsuits against DeJoy, USPS & Trump over mail delays and election mail

SteveNovember 6, 2020Blog, Slideshow

Twelve lawsuits have been filed against the USPS over mail delays and threats to voting by mail

Are USPS transportation policies still causing mail delays?

SteveOctober 21, 2020Blog, Slideshow

The Postal Service is still putting restrictions on late and extra trips from processing centers, and the number of such trips is way below normal.

USPS service performance data for 2020 shows improvement but not back to baseline

SteveSeptember 16, 2020Blog, Slideshow

The data set provided in Jones v USPS provides the most complete picture of on-time performance that we’ve seen since the mail delays became an issue earlier this summer