NEW YORK - New York City's fleet has now reached a near-record of 29,687 vehicles, according to figures published in Mayor Bloomberg's Management Report, said the New York Post.

More motor vehicles translate into more carbon emissions, the Post reported.

In fiscal year 2002, there were 27,483 vehicles in the fleet, which includes cruisers, sanitation trucks, and everyday cars used by city employees.

In a best-case scenario, the 2,204 vehicles added under Bloomberg would propel at least 11 million more pounds of carbon into the atmosphere every year.

Officials pointed out that almost all the 2,204 vehicles added to the fleet since 2002 were trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The city also boasts it has added the most hybrids of any municipality. Agencies cited a variety of reasons for the growth of the fleet.

The Buildings Department has boosted its number of inspections with its 90 additional vehicles; child-welfare workers received 91 extra cars to handle a larger caseload; and the Department of Design and Construction cited an "expanded capital program" to justify 36 new vehicles.

The NYPD accounted for the largest single jump, from 8,195 vehicles to 8,988. Spokesman Paul Browne said the numbers are misleading because they include 152 older vehicles headed for the auction block; 125 non-motorized trailers used to carry lighting equipment; 124 scooters bought with a federal grant for the 2004 Republican National Convention; and vehicles for school-safety and parking-enforcement agents, whose ranks have increased.