Episode 179: Fleet Stress: The Hidden Costs Killing Your Fleet (and How to Find Them)

“There are two biggest buckets of cost in any fleet: your people and your assets. If you're not managing both with strategy, you're leaking efficiency.”

In this consulting-centric episode, Marc Canton and Steve Saltzgiver give listeners an inside look at the real issues fleet organizations are asking RTA for help with — and the critical ones they aren’t asking about but should be.

From right-sizing analyses and facility planning to VMRS codes and preventive maintenance workflows, this episode reads like a checklist of where modern fleets are succeeding... and where they're falling behind. Steve breaks down how fleets can turn reactive problems into proactive strategies by investing in policies, proper documentation, and performance benchmarking.

Whether you're a fleet manager dealing with staffing shortages or a city agency unsure if your shop still fits your growing fleet, this episode is packed with practical guidance and candid consulting insights that will help you run a more efficient, effective operation.

Key Takeaways:

• Most Requested Projects: Best practice assessments, staffing studies, facility reviews, right-sizing analysis, and cost of service evaluations.
   
• Right-Sizing Always Pays Off: These projects consistently deliver ROI by helping fleets identify and reduce excess or underutilized assets.
   
• Facility Assessments Are Rising: Growing fleets are struggling with outdated bays, cramped layouts, and missing the mark on equipment needs.
   
• Underutilized Tools: Many fleets still lack documented workflows, up-to-date policy manuals, and clean, lean shop environments.
   
• Preventive Maintenance Process Is Key: PM efficiency depends on prep work — staging parts, tools, and task flow to avoid tech downtime.
   
• Chargebacks and Data Visibility Drive Better Behavior: Transparent cost allocation policies can improve operator stewardship and accountability.

Marc Canton
Product leader at RTA and seasoned fleet consultant, Marc combines 20 years of fleet management experience with a sharp eye for software design and operational strategy. He’s passionate about helping fleets modernize.

Steve Saltzgiver

Fleet Hall of Famer and consulting guru, Steve brings decades of experience across public, private, and federal sectors. Known as the “Fleet Whisperer,” his insights drive transformation from the shop floor to the boardroom.