"The inspector general’s paper states that residents “no longer appear to derive a proportional benefit” from what is essentially a freight service and are stuck paying premiums for many goods still, including groceries. Rural merchants reap benefits from having supplies delivered to their doors at a “very low price,” but with little or no competition, they have little incentive to pass on savings to consumers, the paper states. It says the program discourages the state from “providing appropriate infrastructure,” saying the state is often slow to start highway expansion projects that could decrease fuel, freight and mail transport costs. Among the inspector general’s key findings: Alaska’s massive permanent fund “could theoretically be used to pay for the program or improve the state’s ground and air infrastructure for the benefit of all Alaskans."
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Bypass mail needs big changes, inspector general says: Rural Alaska | Alaska news at adn.com
Unfortunately, it acts as a source of soda pop and candy for schools to sell. It does offer fresher produce and eggs, but not cheaper and not a great proportion of freight. It is a way to buy washers and baby diapers not otherwise available locally. It brings a lot of school supplies in, which must then be dumped or burned in the village. Needs revising to save the good and ditch the waste and unhealthy.
