USPS poll: Public backs five-day delivery

By Bernie Becker - 02/14/13 02:35 PM ET

A broad majority of people in the U.S. supports the Postal Service’s plan to end Saturday delivery of letters and other first-class mail, according to polling commissioned by the agency.

The poll found that roughly four in five people back the Postal Service’s new delivery standards, which are scheduled to go into effect in August and would also continue the delivery of packages six days a week.

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has repeatedly cited public support for the idea after announcing the switch last week, amid some strident criticism from lawmakers. Most recently, Gallup released a poll showing support for five-day delivery.

“The American public understands we need to make this move,” Donahoe told reporters on Wednesday. “The American public does not want a Postal Service that’s a tax burden.”

The Postal Service-commissioned poll — conducted by Ipsos — found broad majorities across all age groups, income levels and race support the agency’s plan. Around four in five people living in rural, urban and suburban areas also were on board with the idea.

But Donahoe, testifying before the Senate Homeland Security panel, also implored lawmakers to not put legislative constraints on his agency’s ability to move to five-day delivery for first-class mail.

Rural state lawmakers like Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) were especially critical of the move, with Pryor questioning whether USPS had the authority to unilaterally make the switch.

Lawmakers also introduced legislation this week to mandate six-day delivery. Critics say getting rid of Saturday delivery would end a competitive advantage for USPS, which currently loses around $25 million a day.

Postal officials say they believe they can move forward in part because the government is currently funded through a temporary spending measure that expires in March.

Congress has mandated six-day delivery for around 30 years, through the appropriations process. Top lawmakers have expressed hope that they can quickly finish off a postal overhaul, which would likely include language on delivery standards.