Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday announced the implementation of a new integrated digital system at the Road Traffic Department, and said it is a major step forward in how business is done not only in the Department of Road Traffic, but throughout the country.

 The minister said when coming into office four years ago, the government identified a few reasons why the need was so great for a system revamp.

 She said one of the major reasons is that the department is one of the greatest revenue generators for the public treasury.

 “Secondly, it’s operating on an almost wholly manual system. That in itself has inherent risks and vulnerabilities that are not desirable,” she explained.

 “Thirdly, in a developing country such as ours, with one of your primary revenue generator institutions to be operating on a manual system does not reflect well on the progress or health of that nation, in terms of even doing business,” Mrs. Hanna Martin said.

 Meantime, Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith said the new system is guaranteed to produce a “more enthusiastic and highly motivated workforce”.

 He noted that the implementation process will call for a shuffle in location for some staff members.

 The three main locations of the department will be the Eastern Grand Stand at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, Carmichael Road and West Bay Street.

 “These temporary headquarters afford us the opportunity to establish the infrastructure to facilitate our transition to a new electronic system. Over the next few weeks, we will continue with our staff training and development to ensure that the strengthening of their skills and improve their capacity to deliver quality, efficient and customer service that will be second to none anywhere,” said Mr. Smith.

 Mr. Smith noted that his department is very excited about the new system, in light of the fact that Bahamians have agitated for such a reform for quite a while.

 He further explained that vehicular inspections will continue on a manual system at the Clarence A. Bain Building temporarily, in hopes of relocating by the end of the year.

 Additionally he highlighted the system’s benefits.

 “The two steps first that we will be involved with are registration of clients as well as the processing of payments for whatever transactions persons come to engage in. These are the two fundamental steps,” he said.

 Meanwhile, the transport minister reiterated that the national stadium is only a temporary location, as the government anticipates a permanent one which she said will accommodate every need in the department.

 Mrs. Hanna Martin mentioned that a new public transportation system is set to come on stream in the near future.

 She added that the government is also in the process of reviewing the Road Traffic Act, which has not been amended in more than 60 years.