The U.S. Postal Service is proposing changes to reduce costs and enhance service, but some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the impact on rural communities.
One of the changes includes consolidating delivery and collection activities to reduce costs and enhance service. For post offices far from regional hubs, mail pick-up and drop-off be will consolidated in the morning, according to the postal service.
USPS officials said operational changes will not impact election or peak season mail because they will not be implemented until 2025.
USPS officials say consolidation will lower truck trips, transportation costs and emissions and bring more mail to postal service plants to begin processing sooner. USPS officials estimate the changes would save the service about $3 billion a year and better delivery.
Scott Blubaugh, president of American Farmers and Ranchers and the Oklahoma Farmers Union, said he already is hearing about long delays in rural areas and fears things could get worse.