College closes motor pool

Thursday, April 3, 2003 | 10:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The University of Nevada, Reno, has come to the same conclusion as some state lawmakers who maintain that money can be saved through private operation of motor pools.

The school said Wednesday it is closing its motor pool and will begin contracting with Enterprise Car Rental for vehicle rental services on April 14.

Ron Zurek, special assistant to the president for administration finance said, "We believe the new service will provide better serve to the campus community as well as improved economy and efficiency."

"We'll be able to provide an adequate number of vehicles for growing campus needs while offering competitive rates to users," Zurek said.

For example, a user now pays about $150 for a one-day rental to drive a motor pool sedan round-trip from Reno to Carlin. The same trip, using a mid-size vehicle from Enterprise, is expected to cost about $73.

Zurek said that for the last several years the university has been looking for ways to cut motor pool costs. The existing motor pool has raised rates annually in an effort to balance operating cost increases and replace older vehicles.

The new arrangement with Enterprise will give the campus community access to a large fleet of late model vehicles in all classes, Zurek said. It also provides service from more than 50 Enterprise offices in the state, including locations near the Fire Science Academy in Carlin and the Cooperative Extension offices statewide.

Zurek also said it provides expanded weekend and evening hours of service, free delivery of vehicles to the campus and competitive rates.

State Budget Director Perry Comeaux announced last week that state governmen had received bids from five private companies to provide rental car service to employees. But those rates were higher than what the state motor pool is charging, Comeaux said.

Gov. Kenny Guinn decided to keep the state motor pool open. The state motor pool operates about 800 vehicles from its centers in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City. There are some state legislators who maintain the private industry could do the job better and at a lower cost.