WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 27, 2019.
The proposed prices, approved by the Governors of the Postal Service, would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 2.5 percent. Shipping Services price increases vary by product. For example, Priority Mail Express will increase 3.9 percent and Priority Mail will increase 5.9 percent. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The Governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.
If favorably reviewed by the PRC, the new prices will include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 50 cents to 55 cents. The single-piece additional ounce price will be reduced to 15 cents, so a 2-ounce stamped letter, such as a typical wedding invitation, will cost less to mail, decreasing from 71 cents to 70 cents.
The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:
| Product Letters (1 oz.) Letters additional ounces Letters (metered 1 oz.) Outbound International Letters (1 oz.) Domestic Postcards |
Current 50 cents 21 cents 47 cents $1.15 35 cents |
Proposed 55 cents 15 cents 50 cents $1.15 35 cents |
The proposed domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate price changes are:
| Product Small Flat Rate Box Medium Flat Rate Box Large Flat Rate Box APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box Regular Flat Rate Envelope Legal Flat Rate Envelope Padded Flat Rate Envelope |
Current $7.20 $13.65 $18.90 $17.40 $6.70 $7.00 $7.25 |
Proposed $7.90 $14.35 $19.95 $18.45 $7.35 $7.65 $8.00 |
First-Class Package Service, a lightweight expedited offering used primarily by businesses for fulfillment purposes, will move to zone-based pricing to better align with the cost of service and improve value based on distance.
Can’t go along with the bashing of Postal workers over a rate hike. I think you are carping about a fake break. The Post Office is still a bargain with the rate hike.
The Postal Service is losing BILLIONS of dollars every year and yet their only solution is to increase the rates. Look at the in-efficient process in Mason City alone. Delivery walking to the front door for over 50% of residents; which is in-efficient, high cost, a summer and winter safety issue and security issue. Consider the Insurance, Gas, Upkeep costs to all these additional vehicles plus all the Work Comp cases. In other cities, Street and Front Door Mail boxes have been replaced by Cluster Mail Boxes. Fed Ex and USPS get the larger high rate items and have front door delivery factored in. USPS get the smaller items with less yield and yet provides front door delivery.
Go figure. Trump requested an investigation into the USPS Operational Issues earlier this year; but to date nothing has been released. We must have to wait until after the November Elections!
Our mailperson walks three blocks while talking on the phone, then takes a 20 minute break, then sit in the truck with it running talking on the phone for another 20 minutes. This is done thru out the day. Every mailperson we have had other than one does this. We pay good money and watch it going down the drain every day. The only time this doesn’t happen is when they are doing a audit. Then they are efficient. Steamline the organization and make it pay for itself or get rid of it.
You must live on the east side of town, I see it everyday.
It’s still a bargain. I can put a letter in the mail to anywhere in the US. It’ll get there in 2 or 3 days and it only costs me 55 cents. FedEx or UPS would charge $10 or more..
There was already an increase of 3% in September. Hell just raise the stamps to $1.00. Not many people actually send bills off anymore.How about laying some of the f’ers off. Orr get rid of Weekend mail like they were supposed to.
The cost is nominal compared to other competitors.
Like many, I depend on USPS for First Class mail, Certified Mail, and of course, parcels. That includes Sunday delivery when the shipper dictates it. 68% of my e-commerce shipments come via USPS.
Next, the workers at USPS are members of our community. They purchase goods and services, homes, and autos. They attend churches in our community, some have children who attend our schools.
From those I know personally, they are hardly the “f’ers” you portray them to be.