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Public works cites truck and driver shortages after service delays; staff say replacements can take years
Summary
After a press release about delayed collections, public-works staff told council vehicle replacement timelines can be two to three years and that service delays may result in a one- to two-day shift; council urged patience and use of 311 for status updates.
Council raised questions about a recently issued press release concerning a shortage of trucks and drivers that affected some bulk collection routes. A public-works staff member explained that the city has been operating older vehicles longer than usual and that replacement trucks can take "two, three years" to procure; when vehicles go down the department may use outside vendors, which can delay service.
The staff member described the operational impact: routes that normally run on Tuesday could be delayed to Wednesday or Thursday depending on the work completed that day. He asked residents to contact 311 so staff can track and communicate specific service changes.
Council members thanked public works for their efforts and urged clearer inclusion of vehicle-replacement needs in the capital-improvement program (CIP). One council member asked that when repairs and replacement schedules are known they be included in the CIP documentation so council and residents understand the resource needs.
