Missed service calls rise after trash service swap
BY KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Friday, July 13, 2012
7/13/12 at 3:08 AM
Read about Tulsa’s forthcoming trash service changes.
The city of Tulsa issued 1,071 service orders during the first week of trash service provided by NeWSolutions, Eric Lee, Tulsa's solid waste services manager, told city councilors Thursday.
All but one of the orders were in response to missed service.
The figure represents 1.2 percent of the 94,400 customers served between July 2-6, Lee said. Of those service orders, 607 - or 57 percent - came from back-yard customers.
Typically, the percentage is three-tenths of 1 percent annually.
To ensure that the city's new trash haulers are clear about which customers receive backyard service, the city will be painting 3- to 5-inch white circles on those customers' curbs, Lee said.
The number of service orders generated does not necessarily equate to the number of customers who did not receive trash service, Lee said, noting that not every customer calls when service is not provided.
"I don't want to mislead the council," Lee said. "I do want to show that we are identifying areas that are problems and we are addressing them."
Lee said the city is working to switch about 2,400 Tuesday customers to Thursday service. In addition, 64 customers were sent letters indicating the wrong service day.
Lee pointed out that the number of service orders has declined this week. Monday through Wednesday, the city issued 652 - 387 of them for backyard customers.
Starting early this month, most of the city, which had been serviced by Tulsa Refuse Inc., went to a three-month, abbreviated trash program with NeWSolutions.
Councilors expressed their support and appreciation for the work the company has done on short notice.
Customers with trash service questions should call 918-596-9777.
Original Print Headline: Missed service calls up after trash service swap
Kevin Canfield 918-581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com
