Passenger Carrying Vehicles

The Passenger Carrying Vehicles program (Line Item 6003) under the Navy's Other Procurement appropriation is focused on the acquisition and recapitalization of a diverse fleet of vehicles essential for the daily transportation needs of Naval Operating Forces and Shore Activities. The primary objective of this program is to ensure the Navy maintains a reliable and modern fleet of buses, automobiles, ambulances, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and carryall passenger vans. These vehicles are critical for the movement of personnel in support of official Navy business, training, and mission execution.

Within this line item, cars are procured to provide transportation for small groups of personnel both on and off base. These vehicles are used for a variety of work-related activities, including administrative duties, logistics support, and law enforcement operations. Law enforcement automobiles are specifically designated to support Naval intelligence, investigative and surveillance operations, and base security missions, ensuring rapid response and mobility for security personnel.

The vans component includes both compact and full-size passenger vans, with capacities ranging from 7 to 15 passengers and configurations for both 4x2 and 4x4 drive. These vans are used to transport sailors, flight crews, maintenance staff, and civilian personnel to work sites and for other mission-related activities. The procurement of these vehicles addresses high-demand requirements, especially for moving groups efficiently between administrative, industrial, and operational areas.

The sport utility vehicles (SUVs) segment encompasses a range of compact, intermediate, standard, and full-size SUVs, including emergency response upfit models. These vehicles are essential for transporting personnel and small cargo loads, and are particularly valuable for accessing off-road and remote locations. The SUVs support a variety of Navy missions, including those requiring enhanced mobility in challenging environments. They are also utilized by Naval Special Warfare (NSW) units for high-risk training and rapid medical response scenarios.

Ambulances are another critical element of this line item, serving Navy hospitals, clinics, and expeditionary medical units. The program funds both modular and field ambulances, which provide emergency medical transport, including off-road capability for remote site access. Specialized ambulance buses and patient transport vehicles are also included to facilitate the movement of stabilized patients to higher levels of care or between medical facilities.

The buses procured under this program range from 20 to 66 passenger capacities, including school buses, shuttle buses, intercity buses, and ambulance buses. These vehicles are the most cost-effective means for transporting large groups of personnel, whether for daily commutes between ships, airfields, and administrative areas, or for supporting logistics, training, and redeployment activities. The buses play a vital role in ensuring the efficient movement of sailors, airmen, and reserve personnel for both routine and mission-critical assignments.

The program also includes funding for Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Costs, which covers the planning, management, and sustainment of these vehicle assets throughout their lifecycle. Continued investment in this line item is based on the need to replace vehicles that have exceeded their service life, surpassed maintenance thresholds, and for which repair parts are increasingly scarce. The program also addresses gaps where General Services Administration (GSA) or commercial leasing options are not available or are cost-prohibitive. The Passenger Carrying Vehicles program supports the Navy's ability to maintain operational readiness and meet a wide range of mission requirements through reliable and modern transportation assets.