BALTIMORE, MARYLAND September 30, 2015 – The Baltimore City Department of General Services (DGS), using a data-driven approach to fleet reduction, has completed an effective analysis of the City fleet based on the needs of each City agency. The result of the fleet reduction program is estimated to reduce fleet-related costs to customer agencies by $376,587.50. This figure includes $301,105 in savings from agencies supported by the General Fund and another $75,482 from non-General Fund Supported agencies (DGS Fleet).

The City currently maintains a fleet of approximately 4,265 vehicles — ranging from police cars, to public works trucks, to fire engines. Inclusive of repair parts and service, fuel costs, and vehicle replacement, total City fleet expenditures are approximately $58 million per year.

In 2011, the City launched a comprehensive study to assess opportunities for both modernizing and reducing the cost of its fleet. The City determined that the average age of Baltimore’s municipal vehicles is approximately eight years, with an average replacement cycle of 16 years — double the recommended cycle length. Such an aging fleet requires much higher maintenance and repair costs, and is also associated with higher fuel costs due to older, less fuel efficient vehicles. In addition, an aging fleet will have substantially longer down-time, which can affect service delivery and require a large reserve fleet for core operations.

The City has been evaluating vehicle usage and reserve needs to determine the optimal size of the fleet. DGS’s Fleet Management examined the age, mileage, fuel usage, and the maintenance and repair costs of each vehicle in the fleet. Using these factors, Fleet Management was able to identify vehicles that were underutilized. In collaboration with city agencies, 18 units were removed from the fleet in FY14, and an additional 53 vehicles have been identified for removal during FY15 with a total projected savings above $375,000. Much of the estimated savings will be derived from reduction in costs related to maintenance, repair, fuel and parts provision.

“Maintaining the City’s fleet, in a cost-effective and efficient manner not only ensures the dependability of the taxpayers’ investments but strengthens the connectivity between municipal agencies relying on the services we provide daily, “ the Department of General Services Director Steve Sharkey said. “DGS shares the Mayor’s commitment to an aggressive pursuit of comprehensive, innovative initiatives to maximize the efficiency and productivity of our operations.”

The Department of General Services is committed to providing healthy work environments and safe reliable vehicles for City employees by delivering high quality and cost-effective support services to City agencies who serve Baltimore’s citizens and stakeholders.