An Post says it is 'deeply disappointed' at the rejection by the communications regulator ComReg of its proposal for the introduction of delivery boxes.
In a statement, ComReg said An Post could not force people to have a letterbox installed in the grounds of their home. It said that while An Post could offer to provide such a letterbox, there was no obligation on consumers to accept it, nor could An Post force people to avail of letterboxes some distance from their premises.
An Post described the proposal as 'fundamental' to its urgent need to reduce delivery costs in rural areas. It also warned that the decision had serious implications for its current pricing strategy, which had anticipated 'significant savings' from the delivery box initiative.
An Post said loss-making rural delivery routes were subsidised by profitable urban routes. 'We will now have to study carefully the options available to us,' An Post said.
The regulator's statement came after a nationwide consultation on what constitutes a universal service from An Post, and in response to An Post proposals to install mandatory roadside postboxes.
ComReg also issued a number of other directives to An Post, covering guidelines for consumer complaints, post collection times and customer information. ComReg said that while there were merits in An Post's plans, vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled had to be protected. It added that An Post had not fully explored other possibilities.
