Trash truck repairs causing pickup delays

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- For many people, this time of year means spring cleaning. But for the Philadelphia Streets Department, it's time for spring repairing - of its trash trucks.

City workers Monday afternoon were trying to catch up on curbside pickups that have been running a day late in many sections of town.

In many cases, residents are taking it in stride.

"What are you going to do? You can't fight City Hall," Northeast Philadelphia resident John Rizzo said.

The reason for the delays? The impact of the past several winters on key city vehicles, namely the trash trucks that are outfitted with snowplows to help fight the storms.

A full one third of the fleet is regularly called into service for that.

Now, more nearly 10% of the fleet, 38 in all, sits in a lot waiting for major repairs or to be scrapped entirely.

"These vehicles are used for snow removal, trash collection, and they're used year round," Donald Carlton, Streets Department Deputy Commission, said.

The Streets Department wants residents to keep placing their trash out on the regular scheduled day even though the delays could continue for several more weeks.

Material not collected on the scheduled day will be picked the day after.

One city worker says the delays are getting mixed reactions.

"Some are still just very appreciative that we are out here getting up. Others think we are just milking the clock and they don't know that we really don't have the equipment," worker Goldie Gaddafi said.

Dozens of new trucks are scheduled for delivery this summer.

At least 40 more will go into the pipeline pending city council approval of Mayor Michael Nutter's final budget plan.

Like the snow, this kind of delay problem may eventually melt away.