Swiss Post to Gain More Flexibility in Delivery with Federal Council Reforms

Swiss Post will soon have more flexibility in delivering letters and packages, thanks to Federal Council reforms aimed at reducing costs. Postal Minister Albert Rösti has decided not to implement severe cuts in basic services as suggested by his own experts. Instead of maintaining the current postal regulations that require Swiss Post to deliver a certain percentage of letters and packages on time, the target is now being reduced to allow for more flexibility.

One of the proposed changes is lifting the obligation for postmen to deliver to all houses in Switzerland that are inhabited year-round. Instead, delivery will only be guaranteed to inhabited settlements, meaning around 3 percent of households or 60,000 homes will no longer receive direct delivery. However, this move does not mean a decrease in quality but rather a way to manage costs during peak periods.

Rösti emphasized that these measures are not seen as a reduction in services but an expansion to include digital elements such as online banking and digital letters. The restrictions on basic services are expected to save Swiss Post 45 million francs per year by 2026. The proposed reforms are viewed as a step towards a more modern and cost-effective postal service by both Swiss Post and the state government.