The U.S. Postal Service Seeks to Cut Saturday Delivery

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Facing unprecedented decline and a projected $238 billion shortfall, during the next decade the U.S. Postal Service said they must make drastic changes to survive.

"The crisis we're facing gives us an historic opportunity to make changes that will lay the foundation for a leaner, more market responsive Postal Service," Postmaster General John Potter said.

Changes the government agency is considering include, cutting back services from six days to five days, closing some of their stores in exchange for self-service kiosks, as well as being able to change the postal rate faster than inflation.

Robert Loke sells stuffed animals on the auction Web site eBay and said he doesn't like the idea of cutting postal service on Saturdays.

"For me it's going to be bad news," Loke said. "As soon as I sell stuff online I want to get it out the door and keep customers happy."

Postmaster General Potter has already submitted his list of proposed changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission. The commission will hold public hearing in Washington and around the U.S. as well as seek expert testimony.

However, even if the independent commission approves the dropped day, the Postal Services would need congressional approval since the current six day delivery is a federal law.