US Postal Service Files for 5.4% Rate Increase with
Postal Rate Commission
Washington, D. C. – The U.S. Postal Service filed a rate case with
the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) Friday (4/8) seeking an expedited recommended
decision to raise rates and fees 5.4 percent for almost all categories.
The filing is unique in that the decision to seek a rate increase
is due solely to the requirement of Public Law 108–18 that the Postal Service
establish a $3.1 billion escrow fund. The law does not stipulate how the funds
are to be used.
The Postal Service rate case calls for an almost uniform 5.4
percent rate and fee increase spread over all classes and subclasses of mail and
special services. The postage for a one-ounce piece of First-Class Mail would go
from 37 to 39 cents in early 2006.
Should legislation be enacted that eliminates the escrow funding
requirement, this rate case will be withdrawn. The last postal rate increase was
three cents on June 30, 2002.