US postal service asks to reduce mail delivery days

Faced with tough economic times and rising popularity of email, the United States postal service is seeking a cut in the mail delivery from six to five days a week.

Faced with tough economic times and rising popularity of email, the United States postal service is seeking a cut in the mail delivery from six to five days a week.

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Postmaster General John Potter after reporting a 4.5 per cent drop in the mail delivery has asked a Senate Sub-committee to amend a 1983 rule that require the mail be delivered six days a week.

"Simply put, the postal service is in acute financial crisis," Potter said adding that cost six-day delivery proving to be unaffordable.

At present, there is no delivery on Sunday and if his request approved, either Saturday or Tuesday is likely to become the second mail-less day.

Last year, the postal service suffered a $2.8 billion loss and delivered 9 billion fewer letters and other articles.

The projected net loss this year is $6 billion.