The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A LEADING Bahamian auto dealer said yesterday that it was “absolutely ridiculous” that he was having difficulty securing licence plates for his customer’s vehicles from the Road Traffic Department (RTD), describing it as a recurring problem over the past ten months.

Ben Albury, Bahamas Bus and Truck’s sales manager, told Tribune Business that the issue was ‘hindering’ his business. “Road Traffic seems to have a recurrent problem running out of licence plates. I have got vehicles sold, customers who have already paid but they can’t get their vehicles because we can’t get plates. In the past ten months we have had a recurring problem getting plates.”

Mr Albury added: “This isn’t a one-off type of thing, it’s a consistent problem. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are running out of plates. Two weeks ago we had a problem. Last week we had another problem. The other day we had nine vehicles and we couldn’t get any plate off them.

“Today I have six vehicles sold and ready to go and I can’t get any plates. It’s really hindering my business. It’s difficult having to tell a customer who has just spent $50,000 that can’t get any plates for their vehicle.”

Other auto dealers have indicated that they had faced similar difficulties in obtaining licence plates from the department. While some sources suggested yesterday that the issue was the result of equipment failure this could not be confirmed.

Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith said last night he would prefer to comment this morning when contacted by Tribune Business yesterday.

In June Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin decried the “antiquated” state of the RTD and listed it as a “critical area for reform” given its revenue-generating potential. According to the minister, the RTD is the third revenue earner in the country. The government forecast revenue of $39m from motor vehicles for the 2014/2015 budget. Mrs Hanna-Martin said that the government is moving to automate and modernise the department.