The V.I. government’s rag-tag fleet of vehicles – and the cost of maintaining them – is becoming a thing of the past, thanks to a new program initiated by the Department of Property and Procurement.
The new, all-white government vehicles throughout the territory are the result of a plan aimed at cutting the high cost of maintaining the government’s aging fleet, according to Marc Biggs, Property and Procurement commissioner. Under the fleet standardization plan, government agencies in need of leasing vehicles must go through Antilles Automotive on St. Croix. The outright purchasing of vehicles can be done through Antilles and the Caribbean Auto Mart for the St. Thomas-St. John District, Biggs said.
The benefits of the agreement with the auto dealers, Biggs said, include more control over the acquisition of vehicles; standardization of parts and reduction of inventory; an annual bulk-supply contract; a new leasing program; a new warranty and maintenance service program; a development program for government mechanics sponsored by the dealerships; and a loaner program for when government vehicles are being repaired.
P&P’s Daniel Andrews said terms under the new program are vastly improved over previous contracts. For example, the previous purchase price for a Chevrolet Silverado four-wheel drive pickup truck was approximately $24,000. Under the new contract, the same vehicle goes for $19,713.
Previously, a 36-month lease on the same truck would have seen a $666 payment and a $2,870 buyout. Now, the lease payment is about $600 with a $1 buyout, a savings of about $6,000.
"It’s really a win-win situation," Andrews said, noting the training program for government mechanics. "The prices are better and you can’t beat the warranty and maintenance agreement."
