Branches offices deemed unprofitable could close as early as January 2012.
The U.S. Postal Service on the path to a second consecutive year of losses of $8 billion is studying the proposed closing of up to 3700 post offices nationwide - more than 200 of them in Texas. Many Texas whose local post offices are among those being studied for closure are both angered & heartbroken. They see the post office in many cases as the foundation of their community. Some can only receive their mail at the post office because there is no individual mail delivery to their homes.
Postal Service officials say the proposed closures could save up to $200 million per year which would not make much of a dent in the services debt. Texas is in line to have the most possible closures of any of the states.
To view the list of Texas post offices that are on the list to be reviewed for possible closure click here. Those stations branches and main offices deemed unprofitable could be scheduled for closing as early as January of next year.
Postal Service officials note that because more and more of their customers are using the Internet or smart phones to conduct their postal business the need for the services 32000 retail offices is diminishing. As a result the Postal Service will begin studying some 3700 post offices.
Today more than 35 percent of the Postal Services retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores drug stores office supply stores retail chains self-service kiosks ATMs and usps.com open 24/7 said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.
Our customers habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business.
Many of the post offices that could eventually be closed may be replaced by Village Post Offices what the Postal Service describes as Post Offices operated by community businesses to provide selected postal products and
services. These retail units may also provide Post Office Boxes either inside or outside the business.
However the Postal Service says closure of the facilities will be a business decision based on the profitability and costs of each office surveyed. They will be promoting the Village Post Offices operated by a community retailer.
They also say that avenue will provide a better customer experience since the Village Post Offices will have expanded hours weekend service and convenient locations.
