the word public only refers to the fact that shares are able to be purchased by the public.royal mail no longer is owned by the government they hold some of the shares but not controlling interest.it is a private company for all other purpose and the government of the day will have no say in the day to day running of the business.it is widely predicted that around 20% of staff will lose their jobs as a result and there will be closures of sorting and post offices.and the end of Saturday delivery.but I am sure that you will find some info to contradict this.every other publicly owned company that has been sold off has gone downhill as far as service goes yet costs have gone up.recent examples electricity and gas telecom is also a public limited company because its shares were sold to the general public but is still a private company.