Governor Corzine Moves Another 445 State Vehicles Out of Fleet and Onto Auction Block

Sedan Fleet count drops to 2004 Levels

TRENTON --- Governor Corzine announced today that with the completion of his second formal initiative in the last three years to reduce the number and usage of State cars, New Jersey's fleet of passenger vehicles has fallen to under 9,700 -- the lowest point since 2004.

"We have a fundamental and ongoing obligation to run government efficiently and economically.  So whether we're cutting gas credit cards or reducing the size of the vehicle fleet, every effort to cut costs helps to reduce the burden on taxpayers to fund the operations of our government," Corzine said.

Through a vehicle "recall" ordered by Governor Corzine this year, State agencies took 445 vehicles out of service.  The recall focused on removing high-mileage, less efficient and underutilized vehicles that were identified through a comprehensive, agency-by-agency review by the Department of the Treasury's Motor Pool.  The recall will reduce the State's annual maintenance and fuel expenses by an estimated $1.1 million, while also reducing the environmental impact from the State fleet.  After all vehicles from the 2009 recall are auctioned, the State anticipates an additional $500,000 in revenue.

In 2006, a similar recall resulted in a reduction of 835 vehicles from the fleet, netting the State more than $1 million in auction proceeds. 

By removing these vehicles from service, the State's passenger fleet now totals 9,671, which compares to 10,550 when Governor Corzine took office in January of 2006 - an 879 vehicle reduction. It is also the lowest count of passenger vehicles since January of 2004.  This reduction also takes into account an increase of 455 vehicles assigned to caseworkers in the Department of Children and Families since 2006.  The additional vehicles have been part of a larger reform effort to expand and improve services.

State Treasurer David Rousseau noted that the continuing reduction of the State fleet provides material budget relief, noting that fuel costs range from $30 million to $40 million annually.

Commercial fuel cards were recalled by Governor beginning earlier this year.  At the time, there were 1,031 commercial fuel cards issued through the State motor pool.  The total has been reduced by more than 80 percent, netting an annual savings of $237,000.

Live auctions are conducted about once per month at the Distribution Center on Stuyvesant Avenue in Trenton. Each vehicle is offered on an as-is basis. The next auction of state vehicles is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, July 18.

More information on vehicle auctions conducted by the Division of Purchase and Property can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/dss/csdssauc.shtm.

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