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SEARCHMENUSEARCHWith the decline in tax revenues, public sector fleets are increasingly scrutinized by management, politicians, and taxpayers. At one time, there was anonymity in being a public sector fleet manager — no more. Years ago, fleet was not high on the radar screen. However, with zero-growth budgets, along with higher fuel costs, emission-reduction mandates, liability issues, and new regulations, fleet is now dead-center on the radar screen of senior management.
Read More →One consequence to reduced (or non-existent) capital purchase budgets is that public sector fleets have had to extend vehicle and equipment lifecycles. Across the country, government fleets have extended lifecycles for all vehicle classes. However, achieving true cost savings involves more than just putting off expenditures in the hope your organization's fiscal situation will improve in the future; it requires eliminating costs.
Read More →Today, computers are everywhere and in virtually everything. For those of us who have been exposed to the computing industry for many years the term “garbage in – garbage out” holds real meaning. Do you remember the days when tune-up tools consisted of a matchbook cover, screwdriver, and a keen sense of hearing? Well those days have long since passed, and mostly for the better.
Read More →The forecast is that calendar-year 2011 will be a repeat of 2010 for most public sector fleets. The persistently sluggish economy promises to dominate the majority of fleet decisions in calendar-year 2011, just as it did in 2010. Public sector fleets will continue to be pressured to lower capital expenditures and reduce operating costs to compensate for tax revenue shortfalls. Here's a forecast of what to expect in 2011.
Read More →Hybrid vehicles have been around for many years. Fleets from across the country have replaced traditional administrative vehicles with more fuel efficient hybrids. However, a new trend is starting to develop as hybrids are now being used as full-time police patrol units. Although hybrids make good sense in an administrative role, are they robust enough for law enforcement purposes?
Read More →Today's workplace environment for public sector employees is the perfect storm for staff burn-out. Every public sector fleet manager is all too familiar with downsizing — doing more with (substantially) less. More and more fleet managers cite staff "burn-out" as a growing concern.
Read More →Fleet managers no longer solely "manage" their fleets, they must also manage expectations, communication, and the political realities of their local environment. The most difficult challenge a fleet manager faces is effectively communicating to elected officials the complex issues facing fleet operations. This is a fundamental, yet often neglected, responsibility necessary to be a successful fleet manager. Here's what you need to do.
Read More →These are tough times. Our government is spending money we don’t have and at an unsustainable rate that adds trillions of dollars to our national debt. These just aren’t meaningless numbers, they actually have consequences! Sooner rather than later the reckless spending will result in higher taxes for everyone and leverage our children to an uncertain future. We were supposed to leave our children with a better America than we had.
Read More →Do you think you are doing a good job? Do you believe that if you continue to perform to “acceptable government standards” that your job will be there tomorrow? These are hard times, and as every day passes the taxpayers of this country are becoming angrier at what they see as an increasingly incompetent and costly government. For the first time in history, public sector pay is out performing that of the private sector
Read More →The EPA mandated the use of ULSD, effective June 1, 2006. Since then, there has been an uptick in reports of fuel-related problems, such as corrosion in storage tanks and dispensing systems, onboard vehicle fuel tank corrosion, clogged filters, and seal and gasket deterioration. What has the industry scratching its "collective head" is the chronological correlation between the uptick in fuel-related problems and the introduction of ULSD. Is there a connection between the two?
Read More →Multiple trends are converging that will ultimately reconfigure the future composition of light-duty fleet assets. A new era of police packages will commence with the 2012-MY.
Read More →Today's fleet managers are increasingly scrutinized for every action and for every dollar spent. In this environment, fleet managers are constantly second-guessed by citizens, politicians, and user departments on the efficacy of their policies. This second-guessing is primarily due to misperceptions. Most fleets have not been successful in changing misperceptions because this type of second-guessing continues to be a perennial issue. One exception is the City of Troy, Michigan.
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