Eastern Switzerland The closure of post offices is only just beginning in the canton of St. Gallen
The St. Gallen government does not yet have any concrete information on the planned closures of post offices. However, in its response to an SP motion, it states that the municipalities must be involved by Swiss Post. There are currently still 42 post offices in the canton of St. Gallen.
09.07.2024, 12:14
SDA
The announcement came at the end of May: Swiss Post plans to close 170 branches throughout Switzerland by 2028. This comprehensive restructuring program is the company's response to changes in customer behaviour, according to the St. Gallen government's answer to an SP initiative.
Among other things, the parliamentary group wanted to know whether the canton had already been informed which branches would be closed. The government should also explain what it thinks of the planned dismantling of the public service.
The government wrote that Swiss Post's statements on its strategic orientation appeared "plausible and therefore also comprehensible". It had no information about the planned closures. However, Swiss Post is obliged to take a "clearly defined approach".
Postal agencies instead of post offices
The company must inform the affected municipalities and work with them to minimize the impact of the closures and guarantee the basic service. Alternative solutions such as postal agencies or mobile services would be examined. Swiss Post must inform the canton of the results of the discussions with the municipalities.
The government also holds annual talks with representatives of Swiss Post on safeguarding the basic service. Over the last twelve years, the Swiss Post branch network in the canton of St. Gallen has shrunk from 108 to 42 locations. 62 of the 66 closed branches have been replaced by postal agencies.
