The City Council's Department of Traffic has not had any new driver's licenses available since October 15. On December second we told you that those licenses would be ready on Thursday December 22nd, two days form now. But today we found out that date has been pushed back. So when will those who want to drive legally be able to get a new license? Well..it depends on who you ask. At the start of this month, City Traffic Manager Michael Godoy told us that it was a computer software problem.
The problem, as Godoy explained it, was that software had to be imported from Barbados, but it didn't work on computers here and the down time has been spent trying to straighten that compatibility problem out. But when we checked our record we saw that the high tech city licenses were launched in February of 2003 with custom software designed by a local company, Fultec Systems. So how did we get from Fultec all the way to Barbados? Well, it seems, we didn't as they say, that's just the story. What's the truth? Well that's what we've been trying to find out - so we went to Fultec and spoke to Bjana Schmidt who told us that their software is working but City Hall slipped up in making it's order on time.
Bjana Schmidt, Fultec Systems
"In truth its not a software related or hardware related problem, in truth the reason for non-issue of driver licenses is because there is a lack or deficiency in cards., there are simply no cards. While we are responsible for the technology, in terms of the hardware and the software, this software is a one time application and was gotten from the moment of the incept of the project which was in early 2003. So there is no real need for updates or reinstallation of any such program. So the software has pretty much been in effect since 2003."
Jules Vasquez,
So you're saying the software is working, its functional and operational?
Bjana Schmidt,
"Yes that is correct."
Jules Vasquez,
So if I was told otherwise, that would have been a misrepresentation of the truth or a lie?
Bjana Schmidt,
"Well yes. Like I said, the software is not the problem, in this case its because there are no cards and that is why there is a backlog. On our part, Fultec Systems relies on feedback from the City Council in liaison with the Department of Transport whose responsibility it is to maintain the stock level of the driver licenses. Now unfortunately we did not receive an order to order these cards until after the cards had run out."
Jules Vasquez,
So my understanding is that the cards ran out at about mid-October.
Bjana Schmidt,
"That would be correct, that assumption yes."
Jules Vasquez
The cards ran out and they were ordered after they ran?
Bjana Schmidt,
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez,
"But it could be, the blame could then be turned the other way and say its just cards, how long can it take to get cards here. Fultec has the responsibility to provide the cards, its been just about 8 weeks and there are still no cards. So what's up with Fultec?
Bjana Schmidt,
"Well we're not talking only about plastic cards Jules, let me get my drivers license. The cards that we are talking about are serialized and if you are talking about several thousand cards, you are talking about a timely process to serialize each of those cards."
Jules Vasquez,
How soon do you foresee we'll have those cards in the country?
Bjana Schmidt,
"Well like I mentioned, I should be getting a reply in terms of the definite ship date of the cards by the end of this week. So I expect the first week of January."
Today City Traffic Manager Michael Godoy declined to comment on camera, he just said that he is certain licenses will be issued in the first week of January.
