Senator Thomas R. Carper, a Delaware Democrat who is chairman of the Senate subcommittee with oversight authority over the Postal Service, called on Congress to give the agency the flexibility to deal with its future needs.
Frederic V. Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, also urged Congress to provide the Postal Service with “financial breathing room,’’ but he opposed eliminating one day of delivery.
“I do not believe that weakening our commitment of six-day service to the public will enhance the long-term position of the Postal Service as a critical element in our nation’s economic infrastructure,’’ Rolando said.’’
As Americans turn more and more from paper to electronic communications, the number of items the Postal Service handled fell from 213 billion in 2006 to 177 billion last year. Volume is expected to shrink to 150 billion by 2020.
Meanwhile, the type of material sent is shifting from first-class mail to the less lucrative standard mail, such as advertising. And as people set up new homes and businesses, the number of places mail must be delivered is constantly increasing.
The agency has asked Congress for permission to reduce delivery days and has previously discussed the need for other changes such as closing some offices.
Cutting back Saturday home delivery, however, does not mean post offices would close that day.
There seemed to be concern on the part of Congress that officials had not looked at all possible options, Potter said, adding that was part of the reason for the three consultant studies.
Potter said he would like to see mail delivery cut to five days a week starting next year.
Later this month, he said, the Postal Service will ask the independent Postal Regulatory Commission to review its plans for the service reduction.
Under the law, the agency is not supposed to raise rates more than the amount of inflation, but there is a loophole allowing for higher increases in extraordinary situations such as the current recession and drop in mail volume.
“We intend to use that tool,’’ Potter said.
