WASHINGTON (AP) - The financially struggling U.S. Postal Service says it plans to stop delivering mail on Saturdays, but continue delivering packages six days a week.
In an announcement scheduled for later Wednesday, the service is expected to say the cut, beginning in August, would mean a cost saving of about $2 billion annually.
The move accentuates one of the agency's strong points - package delivery has increased by 14 percent since 2010. The delivery of letters and other mail has declined with the increasing use of email and other Internet use.
The details:
- Saturday delivery of mail, such as letters and magazines that are going to street addresses, would end. Delivery would be only Monday through Friday.
- Mail addressed to P.O. boxes still would be delivered on Saturday.
- Post offices now open on Saturday would remain open on Saturday.
- Delivery of packages of all sizes would remain the same, i.e., six days a week.
- The change would begin the week of Aug. 5.
- Officials estimated that the cutback would save around $2 billion annually when it was fully in place.
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