The five-year contract, worth in the region of £5m, provides a comprehensive repair and maintenance facility for the Borough’s fleet of 370 assets including refuse collection vehicles, sweepers and electric vans as well as the grounds maintenance fleet.
The annual maintenance plan will ensure scheduled maintenance and inspections are carried out, as well as ongoing repairs.
GPFS will maximise vehicle uptime by providing flexible working hours, an important factor for the customer, illustrated by its specification of 95% availability of the refuse collection fleet.
A 98% MOT-test pass rate has been agreed for all HGV and class IV/VII vehicles.
Go Plant Fleet Services has committed to increasing staff provision by working with local recruitment channels for additional workshop staff, along with providing an apprenticeship scheme for an individual to work alongside the team, based at the authority’s Greenford depot.
It will also support two student work placements in collaboration with local schools and colleges to deliver knowledge and skills outcomes for students.
The mobilisation of this contract was realised during challenging times brought about by changes to working practices due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the midst of the nationwide lockdown, Go Plant Fleet Services worked to ensure mobilisation was completed within the 10-week timescale originally agreed. Keeping GPFS staff and those working for Greener Ealing safe at all times was of paramount importance and the original deadline for the start of the contract was met without delay or disruption.
Phil Quelch, chief operating officer for Go Plant Fleet Services, said that the contract also includes attaining IRTE Workshop Accreditation and DVSA Earned Recognition.
Kevin O’Leary, managing director of Greener Ealing, said: “Managing the maintenance of our vehicles and giving us access to their fleet management system gives us complete visibility of ‘in-life’ vehicle management.”