ON Tuesday I went to the LTA office at Sports City to renew my driving licence.

I had to wait in the queue for more than two hours to be served and to be told to come back a week later to collect my new licence.

I noticed that the place was crowded with customers, some were standing as there was not enough seating facilities.

I noted from one of the notices pasted on the wall that “LTA was currently implementing a new computer system and hence customers may encounter some delays in their services during this transition period”.

It was pretty obvious to me that with the recent increase in the importation of motor vehicles the demand for LTA services have suddenly leaped two-fold whereas the service delivery capacity of LTA has virtually remained stagnant.

I am not sure as to what extent the new system will be able to cope with the situation as it is still to be tested.

However, as an interim measure I would like to suggest two solutions that LTA could implement to manage the increased workshop:

* to delegate other agencies such as FRCA and Post Fiji to manage some of its functions such as issuing of learner’s permit, renewal of licences, etc; and

* to extend its business hours for the convenience of the working public and for other businesses who are open on Saturdays.