USPS to End Saturday Mail Delivery

Following the change, post office locations that are currently open for Saturday service will remain open to customers looking to check P.O. boxes or buy stamps, envelopes and other products. Whether the offices or employees will see reduced hours is currently unknown.

According to Donahoe, "The American public understands the financial challenges of the Postal Service and supports these steps as a responsible and reasonable approach to improving our financial situation." The USPS cited independent market research stating that almost 70 percent of Americans endorse a switch to five-day service, even though many outspoken voices are critical of the plan due to the damage it could cause to small businesses dependent upon Saturday delivery for checks and financial documents.

The change in service, which is slated to begin on August 5, 2013, is not guaranteed. Several members of congress have expressed concern over the plan, and some question the postal service's ability to make decisions like this for itself. As a service mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the postal service is a semi-governmental agency and subject to congressional oversight. The future of the USPS delivery schedule is still uncertain as lawmakers could pass legislation mandating all post offices provide full six-day service.