U.S. Postal Service To End Saturday Mail Delivery

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The financially struggling U.S. Postal Service says it plans to stop delivering mail on Saturdays, but continue delivering packages six days a week.

In an announcement scheduled for later Wednesday, the service is expected to say the cut, beginning in August, would mean a cost saving of about $2 billion annually.

The move accentuates one of the agency's strong points -- package delivery has increased by 14 percent since 2010. The delivery of letters and other mail has declined with the increasing use of email and other Internet use.

WWJ's Ron Dewey says the future of the post office has metro Detroiters shrugging their shoulders.

Many, like Brian Pedigro, say the mail system just isn't a big part of their lives anymore.

"I hate to see the jobs go but, you know, if that's what they want to do to cut costs. Everything else has gotten easier and faster to do and you just don't need the post office as much," he said.

At the gas station where he works, Keith Barlow says the mail doesn't play as big a role in taking care of business.

"We still have the bills come in and all that but I would say we're using less of the mail because we're using a heck of a lot of email. I mean, we can pay our bills online right here at the station as it is," he said.

Jim Octoman agreed, saying the internet taken over the old-fashioned "snail mail."

"I pay all my bills online so I really don't use the post office. Canceling Saturday mail service, I think that's a good idea to save money," he said.

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