The Tribune

COMPLETE chaos broke out at the Road Traffic Department’s Arawak Cay location on December 31 as drivers rushed to get their cars licenced and inspected ahead of the new year.

Those whose New Year’s Day was ruined blamed equipment failure and a lack of organisation for the crush. They also claimed certain individuals were allowed to jump the line without explanation.

Vehicle inspection began at 8.30am and witnesses say there were soon six separate lines of cars inching toward the inspection garage.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people reportedly spent most of the morning standing outside the office waiting for their documents to be processed.

“A pedestrian took time out from waiting in line to organise the six lines down to one. There were about 300 people in line for most of the morning,” said Jenny Pinder.

“The credit card machine broke down and there was only one cashier window operating.

“Numerous people were handing envelopes off to others, who would enter the double glass doors and return with drivers paperwork complete.

“I have been here since 9.15, it is now 12.45 and there is still 30 people ahead of me,” said Jenny Pinder. “I think they need computers speed up the process,” she said.

“What a way to spend New Year’s Eve.”

State Transport and Aviation Minister Hope Strachan blamed the long lines on a shortage of employees and glitches in the computer system.

However, she said officials plan to tackle the host of problems at the department early on in the new year.

Minister Strachan said: “We have a recurring problem down there and it’s one that has been growing over many years. The department saw a large volume of persons as it is the month’s end and the last day of the year.

“Not only do we have staffing issues but there are systematic problems with the machines that produce licenses and certificates.

“We are comprehensively addressing all of the problems and trying to see how best we could change the way of doing things in the long term and not just put a bandage on them temporarily.”