Tharros News reports that as of today, a number of post offices (ELTA) in Messinia will close, following in the footsteps of bank closures. The news outlet says  the full plan will not be executed overnight but that the result will be “fewer services, greater inconvenience and citizens who are left exposed.” The highlights of the proposed changes are:

• Of the 158 post offices under review, only 17 will continue to operate normally, as they cover critical banking needs in their areas.
• A decision has been made to permanently close 28.
• Approximately 115 branches, are being led to cease operations as autonomous points, with the “solution” of postal “agents” (mini markets, cafes or bookstores) being considered as a substitute.
• Collaboration between ELTA and Alpha Bank, which envisages the provision of basic banking services from approximately 150 branches nationwide. The project remains on hold until the overall restructuring plan is finalized, although bank staff have already been installed in some branches for pilot evaluation.

The process has already started to take effect in West Mani, with the closure of the Agios Nikolaos branch years ago and the use of a number of “agents” in the area nowadays. The Tharros article does not refer to specific branches in Messinia but the assumption has to be made that Kardamyli branch will remain open- surely? Even so, it is difficult not to describe their service as being somewhat erratic! Compare the courier ACS to ELTA courier– there is no comparison in terms of efficiency. (On a personal note, if I order something from Athens and on check-out find the company uses ELTA, I cancel the order).

The reasons for the changes that have already happened and those that are being planned, follow the same policy of the banks- to save money and force Greece into a more digital age. Convenient for many but for others, as the view of Tharros sums up the overall effect, “ELTA is slowly dying not from natural wear and tear, but from choices.”

Over the last couple of decades, Athens has tried to fully privatise the service but without success. The only main structural change in terms of finance, was in 2018 when the Greek State transferred its entire stake in ELTA to the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP) — often called the Superfund. HCAP manages state assets strategically but does not itself represent full privatisation; ELTA remains 100% state-owned under HCAP’s control.

How would you evaluate the postal service here? Give a grade out of 10 in the comments section!