March 12, 2010

P.O. Boxes Seek Competitive Edge — 13 Million Strong and Growing

Today we filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to change the designation of approximately 32,000 Post Office™ boxes at 49 Post Office locations from monopoly to competitive designation – a move to allow greater flexibility to meet the needs of customers.

Earlier this month, Postmaster General John E. Potter outlined an aggressive plan of action that included cost cutting, increased productivity, and an array of legislative and regulatory changes necessary to maintain a viable Postal Service™ for decades to come. Today’s filing with the PRC is a part of that strategy. 

The filing allows the Postal Service to test consumer interest in enhancements to the current P.O. Box™ offering and will help shape future Postal Service P.O. Box service and access strategies. Each of the affected sites is within a half mile of a competing box service provider. 

Less than one half of 1 percent of all Post Office Box service would be affected. There are more than 13 million P.O. Boxes in more than 30,000 Post Offices across the country.

There is no time limit for the PRC to review the filing. The PRC can approve or deny the request to change the classification or request that additional research be conducted by the Postal Service.