“Right sizing” vehicle maintenance facilities could save USPS $22 million a year, says OIG
A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the US Postal Service (USPS) could make substantial savings if it improved the efficiency of its vehicle maintenance facilities. The vehicles owned by the USPS represent a capital investment of nearly $3.6 billion. The fleet is maintained using 316 Postal Service vehicle maintenance facilities that service 211,264 vehicles. In addition, the USPS contracts with commercial garages throughout the country for maintenance and repair. In fiscal year (FY) 2014, the USPS racked up around $1.1 billion in vehicle maintenance costs.
In its new study, Vehicle Maintenance Facility Efficiency Nationwide – Capping Report, published on 28 April, the OIG found that “vehicle maintenance facilities were not operating at peak efficiency and were not efficient when compared to the established targets”. Furthermore, it noted the many problems “occurred because of management’s lack of oversight in monitoring mechanic workhours”.
The OIG reported concluded: “Improving oversight and right sizing staff at vehicle maintenance facilities would increase overall efficiency, saving the Postal Service 431,129 workhours at a cost of over $21.8 million annually.”
Click here to see a PDF of the report, published on the OIG website.
As previously reported, the USPS will soon be reviewing the proposals from companies who are bidding to supply vehicles for the fleet renewal programme. The field of prospective suppliers includes a number of electric vehicle manufacturers, who claim that a key selling point of their trucks is their lower maintenance costs.
