Post Office Seeks to End Special Delivery Service

Overtaken by Express Mail and other speedy delivery services, Special Delivery is on its way out.

The Postal Service on Friday proposed to eliminate the 111-year-old service in a package of rate and service changes sent to the independent Postal Rate Commission.

John Ward, vice president of marketing services at the post office, said just 300,000 items were sent by special delivery last year--down from 85.3 million in 1972.

The rate commission will hold hearings on the proposals and issue a recommendation in several months.