Saturday deliveries are ending this year from the United States Postal Service.

The Post Office will start five day home delivery only August 5th of this year, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced Wednesday morning.

Packages will still be delivered six days a week and mail will still be accepted on Saturdays.  

 Donahoe noted that the Postal Service is losing nearly 16-billion dollars a year. The new plan is expected to save about two-billion dollars per year. Donahoe called it absolutely necessary and said it makes common sense.

“It’s an important part of our return to profitability and financial stability,” Donahoe said.

He cited a decrease in mail deliveries in recent years.

“People have voted with their feet to pay bills electronically.  That’s okay, it’s a smart thing to do,” Donahoe said.  “I wish you wouldn’t do that but it is what it is and we have to make those changes.”

A Senate hearing is scheduled next week to analyze the Postal Service’s financial problems.