Rural Carrier EMA to Decrease 0.5 Cents Per Mile Effective January 10, 2026

[Ruralinfo]

On December 18, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will decrease 0.5¢ to 97.0¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective January 10, 2026 (Pay Period 2026-03).

Rural Carrier EMA to Decrease 0.5 Cents Per Mile Effective January 10, 2026

On December 18, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based

www.ruralinfo.net

 

[ATCBigE]

IGNORANT AT ITS BEST.....


Car parts WAY UP
Insurance WAYYYY UP
Labor rate WAYYYYYY UP

EMA DOWN

 

[hockey94]

It would be nice to see how exactly they come up with the EMA amount. What part of the amount comes from insurance, parts, labor etc…

 

[Shannonboy]

Well Hock ol buddy.....what would be nice for me to see...is...."PO mgmt, and nrlca are doing their part to help usps by taking a 25% deduction in pay!!" That would help me a lot....

 

[Shannonboy]

Now that I think about it.....let's just implement that every 6 months, until the po starts showing in the green financially...yeah....THATS THE TICKET...

 

[hockey94]

Well Hock ol buddy.....what would be nice for me to see...is...."PO mgmt, and nrlca are doing their part to help usps by taking a 25% deduction in pay!!" That would help me a lot....

How about a 125 % reduction in pay !

 

[hockey94]

Well Hock ol buddy.....what would be nice for me to see...is...."PO mgmt, and nrlca are doing their part to help usps by taking a 25% deduction in pay!!" That would help me a lot....

Yeah, well you know who helps reduce costs, rural carriers, it appears no one else does !

 

[Shannonboy]

Yeah, well you know who helps reduce costs, rural carriers, it appears no one else does !

Well said buddy!!! I really think we are the only real asset the usps has....

 

[hockey94]

Well said buddy!!! I really think we are the only real asset the usps has....

100% correct !

 

[Beanut]

Are they kidding!? Do they know how much parts and labor cost?. How much insurance has increased!? Gas hasn’t decreased much, that I’ve seen. This is a kick in the gut.

 

[ATCBigE]

Yeah, well you know who helps reduce costs, rural carriers, it appears no one else does !

Yep only job.

I lost almost 9k in last 2 years and yet USPS is claiming it is running out of money.

How much money have all of the rural carriers given back and yet they still claim they are running out of money????

 

[justacarrier]

It would be nice to see how exactly they come up with the EMA amount. What part of the amount comes from insurance, parts, labor etc…

Article 9.2.G.3 covers the EMA calculation. Based on CPI-W for Private Transportation. These are determined by the Government not the PO or the union.

 

[hockey94]

Article 9.2.G.3 covers the EMA calculation. Based on CPI-W for Private Transportation. These are determined by the Government not the PO or the union.

I am aware of the CPI-W for private transportation & that the PO/union have nothing to do with the calculation, however, is the breakdown for each expense shown & how the EMA figure is derived. Putting it simply, is gas 20% of EMA, insurance 15% etc, repairs, etc….

 

[justacarrier]

I am aware of the CPI-W for private transportation & that the PO/union have nothing to do with the calculation, however, is the breakdown for each expense shown & how the EMA figure is derived. Putting it simply, is gas 20% of EMA, insurance 15% etc, repairs, etc….

Don't believe it is a "set" amount for each. It is based on actual use of each category and is totaled and averaged out across a broad spectrum. The more people who are buying a new vehicle the more new vehicles will factor in the mix. You can google it and get some sense of how it is calculated. It should be representative of actual cost of ownership/use of a vehicle based on all factors.

 

[hockey94]

Don't believe it is a "set" amount for each. It is based on actual use of each category and is totaled and averaged out across a broad spectrum. The more people who are buying a new vehicle the more new vehicles will factor in the mix. You can google it and get some sense of how it is calculated. It should be representative of actual cost of ownership/use of a vehicle based on all factors.

Got ya.