Pentagon Travel System Hardly Being Used

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., joined by Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., left, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, right, speaks to reporters about a bill that would extend the term of the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite - AP)

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., chairman of the investigative panel, said the Pentagon's idea of eliminating travel agents "would be the same as directing all DoD personnel to speak Arabic in order to save money on translation services.

"DoD is claiming the savings from reduced travel agent fees without considering the cost of having the troops do the work," Coleman said.

Pentagon officials insist the new system is working well.

"If my boss said I had to leave in a couple of hours, I could do that," said Marine Maj. Stewart Upton, a Pentagon spokesman. "The future is in Internet booking. The system is effective, it's efficient, it gives you options on airlines, rental car agencies and hotels. We're very impressed."

For 2006, the Pentagon estimated savings at between $13.9 million and $33.4 million. After 2007, the savings would range between $56 million and $177 million annually, with recent estimates supporting the higher figure, the Pentagon said.

But the cost of the Defense Travel System has skyrocketed. It grew from an initial estimate of $263 million to $474 million, bringing to mind some of the Pentagon's classic wasteful expenditures.

Coleman said further efforts to save the computer system are a waste. "I am appalled that DoD did not pull the plug on the travel function" of the new system long before now, he said.

The contract was awarded in 1998 to a company that is now part of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.

___

On the Net:

Defense Travel System: http://www.dtstravelcenter.dod.mil