Taylor University has expanded its motor pool with the recent purchase of 12 new vehicles over the past two years, according to Grounds Superintendent Kerry Shanebrook. Shanebrook, who oversees campus landscaping, snow removal, waste management, and the motor pool, stated that the university acquired six vans last year, two more this year, and four cars this year.
The new vans are Ford Transits, while the new cars are hybrid Toyota Camrys. Each van cost between $43,000 and $45,000, and each car was approximately $29,000. Shanebrook noted that a Taylor alumnus provided a discount on the car purchases.
The acquisition of new vehicles was driven by the need to replace older cars in the motor pool that had exceeded their mileage limits. The motor pool serves as a key resource, allowing Taylor University employees and students to borrow vehicles for university-related and sponsored activities.
Traditionally, Taylor’s vehicle replacement policy involved replacing vehicles once they reached 100,000 miles, typically every five years, according to Shanebrook. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this schedule. The university reevaluated its policy and increased the replacement threshold to 150,000 miles, or approximately seven years.
“We kind of reviewed the policy at that time,” Shanebrook explained. “Instead of going from 100,000 (miles) in five years, we upped it to 150,000 miles in seven years on these cars.”
When vehicles are replaced, they are either repurposed for use elsewhere on campus or offered at a silent auction, as the vehicles remain operational even after being phased out of the motor pool. The decision to remove them from the pool is also due to some users expressing apprehension about driving vehicles with higher mileage.
According to Shanebrook, the Education Department is a large user of the motor pool. The motor pool currently has about 30 vehicles total, including 10 vans and 20 cars. Because the motor pool is consistently in high demand, he advises those who need to reserve a vehicle to do so well in advance.
The vehicles in the university’s motor pool are available for use by current Taylor faculty, staff, and students only. Students can find further information about the motor pool by searching “motor pool” in their myTAYLOR account.
