New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a reduction of the city’s vehicle fleet by at least 855 vehicles in an effort to save taxpayer dollars and reduce carbon emissions.
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The four percent reduction of the on-road fleet will focus on non-emergency vehicles, and will reduce the city’s fleet to its size in the Bloomberg administration. In all, the plan announced April 25 is expected to result in 5.13 million fewer miles driven per year — representing a 2,072 metric ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
“We want to encourage New Yorkers to get out of their cars and use alternative forms of transportation — and the city must lead by example,” said Mayor Adams.
“Today, we are both saving New Yorkers’ tax dollars and taking action to cut carbon emissions. By reducing the city’s car fleet through a targeted, data-driven approach, we can achieve our sustainability goals, while simultaneously exercising greater fiscal responsibility. Promises made, promises kept.”
Reductions will be made based on vehicle usage data, tracked by DCAS’s sophisticated vehicle telematics system, which provides real-time insight into the entire city fleet and how it is being utilized.
Vehicles that are underutilized will be prioritized for removal from the fleet. The fleet reduction will reduce agency vehicle acquisition budgets by an estimated $13.7 million — city savings that will be announced as part of the mayor’s upcoming Executive Budget.
The city of New York’s fleet currently consists of 24,526 on-road vehicles. On-road vehicles include 9,579 (39.1 percent) emergency vehicles, 7,893 (32.2 percent) agency work trucks, 2,648 (10.8 percent) Sanitation trucks and sweepers, and 4,406 (18 percent) general use cars. T
he reduction will focus on general use cars and will not impact emergency vehicles or other specialized units that provide critical services to New Yorkers.
The changes will be completed by September 1, 2022, and the vehicles will be removed from the fleet and auctioned off by December 31, 2022.
“DCAS is using fleet tracking data through our Fleet Office of Real Time Tracking to identify inefficient use or assignment of fleet units,” said DCAS Deputy Commissioner and New York City Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “Commuting will be authorized only where essential for emergency response, inspection, and field work within the five boroughs.” ■
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