Paul Murphy / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS -- Snail mail is expected to get slower and more pricey in the new year.
The U.S. Postal Service is cutting costs as more of its customers switch to email or pay their bills online.
Monday, the post office announced it is virtually eliminating the chance for stamped mail to arrive the next day, and most customers will likely see delays of one to two days for first class and bulk mail.
The price of a first class stamp is also increasing from 44 to 45 cents beginning Jan. 22.
'What we have to do is take a look at what we can take out of this organization from a cost standpoint because we have lost volume and we have lost revenue,' said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.
The postal service claims it is losing about $23 million per day.
Post Office customers have mixed feelings about the cost-cutting.
'I think it's unfortunate, but I think it's probably necessary steps, hopefully down the road they will be able to turn it around,' said Mick Scaggs.
'I think why would people want to use the Post Office if they know it's going to be slower than it already is, right now,' said Wes Eustis.
'For those of us who have been going to the post office and waiting on mail all of our lives, I don't think that it's going to be a challenge to us,' said Susan Glynan.
New Orleans financial planner Brad Fortier said the postal service is just adapting to market changes.
'I think the market is already saying that we communicate in different ways now, whether it's an email or text message,' said Fortier. 'I think you want to have a sustainable enterprise at all times. I think if you are going to try and make something sustainable, make it worth while, you have to take the steps necessary in order to do that.'
The cutbacks in first class mail come at a time when the Postal Service is considering closing 250 facilities across the country, including the sorting and distribution center in New Orleans.
According to the Postal Service, decisions on consolidation are expected to be made by mid-April.
