Post Office Will Return Window Service to Normal in September

WASHINGTON — Window service at the nation’s post offices, reduced in February to save money, will be returned to normal levels in September, Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank announced Friday.

Frank told the Postal Service Board of Governors that his managers have been able to find enough savings in other areas to end the reduction in window service, which was one step to trim spending by $160 million.

Frank said at a news conference that local postal managers have been directed to restore window service, effective Sept. 10. Guidelines call for a return to “the same level of service that existed prior to Feb. 13,” he said.

That does not necessarily mean exactly the same hours, Frank said, because local managers will have discretion to decide what changes are best for their communities. For example, in some areas evening hours may be expanded, and in others an extra clerk may be put on at busy times instead of having longer hours with fewer clerks.

The cuts in window service amounted to about half a day per week, and in many areas that meant closing offices on Saturdays.

The changes drew criticism, particularly since they occurred just before an increase in postal rates.

Sunday mail-sorting also was cut out in many post offices as a money-saving measure. Postal officials said Friday that no decision has been made on when that service can be restored.