PennDOT is touting the savings resulting from smarter management of its vehicle fleet. The agency expects to save $4 million a year by changes that include reducing its fleet of state-assigned cars by 30 percent.
It's not a huge amount in an annual budget of more than $6 billion, but it's better than nothing.
"The bottom line is, is money is tight," said department spokesman Steve Chizmar. "So we have to look at every possible angle for additional efficiencies."
Vehicle reassignments are also part of the changes, which might mean not everyone in the department is a fan. PennDOT is giving priority to employees who log the most business-related miles, thus decreasing reimbursements for private vehicle use.
Chizmar said the agency is doing monthly reviews of vehicle usage to make sure state cars are going to the people who use them the most for state business.
