USPS still undecided on type of vehicles needed for replacement of LLVs

July 27, 2016 U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus inspected a 3-D printer and sat behind the wheel of a postal truck Tuesday during a tour of Wheeler Bros. in Somerset.

SOMERSET – Chad Wheeler wants U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, to know a Somerset company is ready to continue keeping the U.S. Postal Service’s fleet of vehicles on the road.

Wheeler Bros. Inc. is the largest supplier of parts for the Postal Service and its ninth largest supplier overall, company president Chad Wheeler said.

The Postal Service has announced plans to replace its aging Grumman Long Life Vehicle fleet with 180,000 new vehicles over eight years. The price is to be under $35,000 per vehicle.

But the agency has not identified funding and is still grappling with what type of vehicle is needed, Wheeler said.

Since further delay is costing more in engine and transmission repairs, Wheeler said the Postal Service might want to consider upgrading some of the existing LLVs to a more efficient drive train. Wheeler offers engines and transmissions that could extend the fleet’s life.

Somerset company tells Postal Service, Rothfus that it can deliver