Reforms at Deutsche Post
Netzagentur is open to fewer mail delivery days
06/12/2023, 09:47 am
Swiss Post still delivers letters six days a week. The President of the Federal Network Agency is now in favor of fewer delivery days. However, he rejects a postage increase. In turn, this is what Deutsche Post calls for.
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, has shown himself open to reducing the number of letter delivery days at Deutsche Post. The Post is still obliged to deliver six days a week, Müller told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “But our society and our communication behavior have changed,” he admitted. In other countries, delivery times of two, three or four days are normal. “I’m open that something like this will also be possible here,” said the head of the network agency. But the decision rests with the Bundestag.
For some time now, Deutsche Post has been pushing for a two-class mail system, in which consumers can decide how quickly their mail should be delivered, for more flexibility. There should be different delivery speeds at different prices. The express letter would be significantly more expensive than the current letter postage.
But this requires legal reform. Accordingly, on an annual average, at least 80 percent of letters in Germany must be delivered on the following working day, and 95 percent must arrive after two working days. The traffic light coalition is already planning to reform the postal law.
Klaus Müller slowed down when Swiss Post demanded an increase in postage. Last fall and winter there was a “very large number” of complaints. Since then, the complaints have decreased, but compared to the same period last year, the number is still higher. “You have to check carefully whether you increase the postage in this situation,” said the head of the network agency. “There are legitimate interests of the Post, but we also have to keep an eye on the customers,” he warned.