The Czech Republic is witnessing a significant decrease in the number of orange postal boxes operated by Czech Post, the country’s national postal service. According to recent reports, Czech Post currently operates 18,406 postal boxes, which is 1,000 fewer than last year’s count of 19,469. Furthermore, when compared to 2018, the decrease becomes even more pronounced, with nearly 3,000 boxes removed from service. During that time, Czech Post managed a total of 21,248 postal boxes across the country.

Matyáš Vitík, a spokesperson for Czech Post, has confirmed that the decline in postal box utilization can be attributed to the reduced volumes of mailed letters. The volume of mail has been decreasing at an average rate of approximately 12% per year. As a result, Czech Post recently made the decision to remove a postal box from a Kaufland store in Louny.

One of the contributing factors to the reduced usage of postal boxes is the fact that not all newsagents sell postage stamps anymore. This has made it more convenient for individuals to send postcards from the post office instead. Additionally, people often choose to ship important documents via registered mail from a post office to ensure proof of sending.

Vitík further explains that the distribution and placement of postal boxes adhere to legislation, specifically the decree implemented in 2012. According to this regulation, municipalities with a population of up to ten thousand residents are required to have at least one postal box for every thousand people. In larger communities, a postal box should be located within a maximum distance of one kilometer. However, the decree allows for some flexibility, particularly in sparsely populated areas.

Czech Post has been undergoing a series of branch closures since July, resulting in the closure of three hundred branches across the country. The list of closures has already been finalized, and despite negotiations in twenty-one municipalities for the replacement of closed units, the overall number of closed branches remains the same. The closure of branches has faced opposition from most towns and districts, but unfortunately, even negotiations for an exchange have been unsuccessful in many cases. It is worth noting that Prague and the Central Bohemian Region have not experienced any branch closures thus far.

The decreasing number of orange postal boxes in the Czech Republic raises concerns about the accessibility and convenience of postal services for the country’s residents. As the utilization of postal boxes continues to decline, Czech Post will need to explore alternative strategies to ensure efficient mail delivery and meet the evolving needs of its customers in the digital age.

Article by Prague Forum