The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has 230,000 trucks, 516,636 career employees, 136,531 noncareer workers and 34,223 retail offices. And it loses money, which included $459 million in the most recent quarter. To become profitable again, the USPS will need to raise stamp prices considerably, or cut workers and, just as important, offices.
The USPS faces several challenges from outsiders. Among the issues is why it has to deliver mail six days a week. With the surge of the use of email, which often includes large documents, people can electronically get most of what the USPS had to deliver in the past.
The USPS has the problem that it cannot raise prices on its own. It must turn to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which often does not buy into suggestions by USPS management.