POST OFFICES (Extension of closing hours)

Encik Harun bin A Ghani asked the Minister for Communications whether the closing hour of post offices will be extended to 10 p.m.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the closing times of post offices vary according to demand for their services. Most post offices close at 5.00 pm on weekdays, 1.00 pm on Saturdays. However, six post offices in Orchard, Ang Mo Kio, Jurong, Toa Payoh Town Centre open till 8.00 pm on weekdays. Most sub-post offices and postal agencies operate up to 9.00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, some open on Sundays and public holidays as well. The General Post Office at the CBD area is open 24 hours every day, 365 days a year.

Singapore Post did open all their 88 post offices till 8.00 pm one day a week. This was a few years ago. They have now reduced this to 13 because of low demand for postal services after 8.00 pm. Because of low demand, it is not cost effective to extend the closing hours of post offices to 10.00 pm. Customers who need to buy stamps after 8.00 pm can go to stamp vendors or make use of postage vending machines and ATMs which dispense stamps. Other postal services after 8.00 pm are available at postal agencies and at the General Post Office.