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Failed "Chip" Collapses Drivers
Licensing Centres
Getting a new driver's license,
for either first time drivers or
renewals, is tough enough as the
long lines at the Departamento
de Licencias of the Ministerio
de Obras Públicas y Transportes
(MOPT) - drivers licensing
office - can wear thin a
person's patience.
However, the situation got worse
yesterday as a "chip" in the
department's computer system
failed and the entire licensing
system collapsed, leaving
hundreds in line only to come
back another day.
The doors of the central
licensing office near the Plaza
González Víquez, on the south
side of San José, opened early
as usual yesterday, however, no
one got past the front door to
obtain their licenses.
By early afternoon, the computer
system was still down, but by
that time most of the people had
gone home.
Hugo Jiménez, general director
of Educación Vial, explained
that a damaged chip was
responsible for the chaos and
collapsed the entire computer
system. The director said that
the licensing office transmits
data over radio waves and the
failure was in the Mata Redonda
(Sabana) installation.
Technicians were immediately on
the scene to repair the damage
but it wasn't until late
afternoon when the system was
restored, too late for most.
A number of the disgruntled told
news reporters on the scene that
the MOPT should end corruption,
that at this day and age that
the institution still can't get
their act together. Some said
that "privatizing" - offering
the service to a private
concessionaire - would improve
things.
All agreed that the MOPT has to
find a way to service the public
better.
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