Council drives to reduce fleet costs

For immediate release: Tuesday 21 June 2011

Fewer cars, higher mileage but reduced costs is the result of a Bay of Plenty Regional Council drive to a more efficient vehicle fleet.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Finance and Corporate Committee Chair Paula Thompson said the Council had looked closely at how its vehicle fleet worked and had succeeded in making savings by reducing the number of vehicles it owns, and by using them better.

“It’s great to see the Council has reduced costs and increased efficiency while still performing effectively. The trend over the last three years is very positive and we’re confident it can continue,” Ms Thompson said.

Corporate Property Manager Annabel Bridge said the savings had come by reducing the number of vehicles in the fleet, having more diesel and less petrol vehicles, reducing the number of 4WD vehicles and improving the booking system. In addition staff are encouraged to car pool or share vehicles when travelling around the region.

“We are making smarter purchasing decisions and using our fleet more efficiently,” Mrs Bridge said.

“Although we travel more each year, over the past three years we’ve managed to reduce our vehicle fleet by nearly 10 per cent without affecting our performance.

“Diesel vehicles are now more fuel efficient and cleaner burning so we have more in the fleet. They also don’t need servicing as often. We have also negotiated good rates with our supplier. We are buying more fuel but our costs have stayed much the same,” Mrs Bridge said.

“And we are continuing to look at how we can further reduce costs and be more efficient,” she said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media