Pittsburgh City Council

City fleet maintenance is another hole in the budget.

Written by Amy Whipple

Pittsburgh has received more surprise bills.

City council has placed a $400,000 request for unexpected vehicle repair costs on its legislative agenda.

Senior fleet services manager Firmin Maurice IV, said the money will pay for six months of completed repairs and will bring the city’s balance with contractor TransDev to $189,548. It does not include the upcoming bill for December repairs.

Maurice said an expected $687,124 in savings from fuel and administrative fees will cover the entire cost. Those savings will pay the remainder of the balance next year.

The increase brings the total for expected maintenance through 2029 to $79.3 million for the rest of the contract.

The city cannot repair vehicles in-house because they have been modified for Pittsburgh’s narrow roads and topography. Maurice said TransDev was the best choice out of proposal respondents. Council Member Anthony Coghill of Beechview asked if it was possible to renegotiate the contract. Maurice did not have an answer.

Council Member Deb Gross of Highland Park pointed out that it’s not just the aging fleet vehicles that are racking up pricy repairs: The new vehicles don’t seem to be holding up, either.

During the same meeting, council also agreed to lease five street sweepers for five years. The $2.3 million agreement includes maintenance costs.

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