The drivers license centre in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro had been operating with just three working machines for the past three months, leading to longer waiting periods for frustrated members of the public.
The Metro's head of Safety and Security, John Best, briefed the media on the latest interventions aimed at easing the pressure at the Centre, which was once again packed with people on Friday morning.
Best said the Department of Transport, which supplies the computer systems to the Drivers License Centre, had sent technicians to repair the machines which had been out of action while the tender process for new equipment closes on the first of August.
He said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is fully in the hands of the National Department of Transport.
"We now really hope that the seven that they've installed can last for this month. We're seeing about 350 to 400 people a day with only three machines. If we have seven, we have an agreement with the staff, we will be able to serve at least 600 members of the public" Best said.
Acting Head of Traffic and Licensing, Andrew Moses, said since more machines are now available; the current staff complement will be supplemented.
"We will engage with those staff members, who are already trained, to ensure a faster turn-around time. We want this to be in place before the new tender is in place," said Moses.
Meanwhile, Best said in terms of their futures plans Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is waiting for accreditation from the Department of Transport before opening a Drivers License Centre in Motherwell.
"The Thusong Centre in Motherwell was built to also house the Centre, but that is more longer term. We've got to get compliance in terms of the regulations set out by the Department of Transport.
Once we get accredited we can then start utilising that facility," Best said.
He added that "within the next six month" the Municipality would like to be operational at the Thusong Centre, but he said "it all depends on the Department of Transport".
