This letter is directed to the branch manager – LTA Nadi back road; LTA’s chief executive in Suva and the Minister for Transport.
How long should it take for a 72-year-old retiree; and an advocate for the silent majority, to get a simple renewal of Group 2 driver’s licence?
One hour; two; three; four or more?
I first entered the LTA office in Nadi at about 10am on Tuesday.
I was given a customer ticket number #9500, a renewal form and told to get a medical report.
I returned with completed form and medical report by 10:56am.
Two hours later, nothing happened.
I approached the branch manager and he gave documents with my licence # 829932 expiry 06 Feb 2024 to a lady at enquiries.
At approximately 1:20pm, she requested me sign another form saying because being 70-plus, approval needs to be obtained.
She disappeared for lunch, I guess. Another lady came to man the enquiries desk.
At 2pm, I questioned how much longer should a 72-year-old retiree have to wait.
In frustration, I informed the lady officer I was tired and frustrated.
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I requested her to call me once the licence is renewed.
I left in a foul mood at about 2:30pm – very hungry.
In my 52 years of driving, I had about five minor speeding infringements and one definite questionable booking at Korovisilou for reportedly overtaking (through double lines, many years ago) a Pacific bus almost coming to a standstill.
At this time of writing, 7pm Tuesday, I have yet to hear from LTA Nadi.
This customer service from LTA Nadi, is lousy, to say the least.
For improved customer service delivery, streamlining is absolutely necessary.
I recommend two counters be designated for express service, for simple straight-forward driver’s licence renewals.
Additionally, LTA officers in counters one and seven attended to several customers without tickets numbers being called.
Some definite favouritism, in my view.
Several customers who arrived after me were served and disappeared.
I question LTA Nadi’s failed ticketing system.
It did not work in my instance. Hard lessons.
It was a real bad day for this retiree.
Imagine having to do renewals each year from now on.
I dread my next renewal, 06 February 2025.
I will certainly miss renewing my licence at six-year intervals.
So much for respectfully treating law-abiding seniors better.
Life gets bitter with ageing and having to visit LTA next.
(I write for and on behalf of all senior citizens who face such needless bureaucratic delays and aggravated frustrations especially at LTA Nadi).
In my communications, Online with LTA, mid-morning Wednesday, Feb 07, 2024, I am now informed I am supposed to sit a driving test.
At no stage whatsoever in the four hours I sat in the waiting area in Nadi on Tuesday, was I informed I had to sit a driving test.
Accurate dissemination of instructions must be made clearly at point of my first contact at the Enquiry desk at about 10am Tuesday.
Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj