Report: USPS to Shutter 2,000 Stations, Branches

WASHINGTON, DC—In an effort to cut costs and help offset dwindling mail volume, the United States Postal Service (USPS) could close as many as 2,000 facilities in addition to the nearly 500 previously targeted for closure, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). While the news organization termed the facilities as "post offices," a majority of the locations ticketed for closure are stations and branches, typically smaller places without retail capabilities.

The WSJ also reported that the USPS is currently reviewing 16,000 post offices operating at a deficit. The Postal Service is pushing Congress to change the current law that allows for facility closures under circumstances other than financial performance. The USPS posted $8.5 billion in losses for fiscal year 2010.

While the USPS seeks to become sleeker, the WSJ said that many facilities under review are in remote communities where the post office is the main pipeline to the outside world, where closure could burden residents, particularly the elderly.