Specialist Fleet Services (SFS) has been awarded a five-year contract to maintain Runnymede Borough Council’s fleet of 80-plus vehicles.

Runnymede is the third council in Surrey to switch to SFS, following the award of a 10-year contract for fleet and maintenance provision at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council in 2017 and a six-year fleet replacement and workshop management contract by Spelthorne during the same year.

Shaun Barnes, depot manager at Runnymede Borough Council, explained: “SFS won the tender based on quality and price, and we are confident they will deliver an excellent standard of service.

“They come very highly recommended by neighbouring Surrey councils, Epsom & Ewell and Spelthorne.”

The fleet comprises a wide range of vehicles and plant including refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), minibuses for community transport such as meals on wheels, and street cleansing vans. The two full-time engineers who man the council’s workshop have been TUPE transferred across to SFS.

Bob Sweetland, managing director of SFS, said: “We are very pleased to work with Runnymede and to be extending our customer base in Surrey.

“As well as maintaining the vehicle fleet we will enhance the workshop facilities and keep staff fully trained to ensure the fleet is kept running smoothly to deliver essential council services.”

In April this year the council is refreshing its fleet with nine brand-new refuse collection vehicles, comprising five 26 tonne and three 23 tonne Dennis Eagle Olympus on Dennis Elite chassis all equipped with Terberg OmniDeka bin lifts.

SFS has been delivering contract hire, fleet and workshop management solutions to the public and private sector since 1992. It has a network of workshops and its own municipal vehicle hire division, CTS Hire.