|
Posted: 11:49 AM Feb 18, 2012
A Stamp May Soon Cost 50 Cents
The United States Postal Service is proposing increasing the cost of a stamp to fifty cents to deal with losses. A spokesperson for the USPS, said the cost would likely go up gradually during the next few years.
Reporter: Joe Harrington Email Address: joe.harrington@kolotv.com |
|
11 Comments 
RENO, NV - The United States Postal Service is proposing increasing the cost of a stamp to fifty cents to deal with losses. A spokesperson for the USPS, said the cost would likely go up gradually during the next few years.
"They're high enough as it is, we don't need to raise them any higher," Rita Liblin of Reno said.
However, the Postal Service may lose billions every year without cuts. Less mail volume is one factor blamed as more people do business online.
The price of a stamp just increased a cent to forty-five cents last month.
"It's a bargain," Eric Thelen of Reno said. Thelen said he would support paying fifty cents.
People have taken to the streets to protest the possible closure of Reno's Vassar Street Distribution Center. Closing facilities is also something the US Postal Service is considering to save money. In Reno, that may put hundreds out of work. There is no word on when a decision will be made.
Saturday mail delivery could also be eliminated.
"It wouldn't affect me one bit," Phillip Tracy of Reno said.
Still, others said they fear raising prices may make the Postal Service less competitive.
Congressional approval would likely be needed to implement the cost-cutting measures.
Latest Comments
I have no issue with raining the stamp to 50cents, and I'd sooner see them do it now so they can get the revenue needed to keep a good system operating. As for discontinuing Saturday delivery, that is okay, but I would lke to see someone remain at the PO on Saturday so those people who have items to pick up, and cannot make it to the post office during weekday working hours, may do so. Also, I would like to see quicker service at the counter. It's business. It's not socializing time, and it would allow more people to get their business done and not cause such ridiculously long lines.
Randy, that's spoken by a true postal employee. Don't raise your rates because you lose money. If the need for the postal system is not there, close down branches and streamline the business. The post office is going by way of the library....they're slowly becoming obsolete.
Wow, any fear mongering going on with this story? It doesn't matter if the price was raised 1¢ or 5¢, the public is going to whine and complain anyway. 50¢ is at least 3 years away and, may not happen at all. Story didn't mention that. Many will trot out that some Postal Administrations in Europe, that have been privatized, have been turning profits over the past 5 or 6 years. Although true, consider why. Deutsche Post is a perennial money maker. First off, the area that they are responsible for is maybe the size of the US eastern US. It also costs 75¢ for a letter with the same delivery times as we have in the US. In Norway, about the size of California, it's over $1 and delivery can take a week or more. @Trish, that's one letter. How many have you received on time? How often do you experience a serious delay? People that have this happen fail to really look at any reasons. Was the address complete, legible and correct? Were non-standard abbreviations used? Why don't you run the story from a couple weeks ago that stated that the US Postal Service is actually the most productive service in the world as far as cost, processing and delivery?
| KOLO Online Poll |
| There are currently no active polls at this time. Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results. |
