Latvian Post defends shorter branch hours with visitor data

Latvian Post says it shortened opening hours at branches after monitoring customer visits, though residents say the changes make services harder to access. LSM reported that the post office in Pļaviņas now opens from 8:30 to 11:30, instead of staying open until 15:00.

Residents say the morning-only hours are inconvenient for people who work, forcing them to choose between missing work and postponing a visit. Latvian Post communications and philately department head Matīss Rutks said the company analysed visitor data from November to May and found that activity was highest in the morning, especially between 10:00 and 11:00.

For six months, the branch had remained open until 18:00 two days a week, but visits in the afternoon were low. Rutks said that between 14:00 and 18:00, the branch saw only one or two people per hour. Latvian Post does not plan to extend its opening hours.

The company says customers can use its customer centres in Aizkraukle or Jēkabpils, which open on weekday evenings and weekends, or use parcel lockers. For payments and other services requiring in-person assistance, customers in the Pļaviņas area can request a postal worker to visit their home free of charge.