By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Road Traffic dispelled speculation that it is planning to increase vehicle licensing fees as part of its automation project while refuting social media reports of a purported new license plate design.

This comes after rumours began circulating on social media over the weekend that a new licensing system will be introduced beginning October 3, claiming drivers would have to switch over to the new plates.

Also, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis raised alarm yesterday, saying he had been informed that the government planned to raise the price of vehicle registration by as much as “400 per cent” when Bahamians are “still struggling to pay bills and survive.”

However, these rumours were denied by the department and Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin yesterday.

Mrs Hanna-Martin stressed that the government was not introducing increased vehicle licensing fees and accused Dr Minnis of being irresponsible.

“The Road Traffic Department today advised the public that the image of the license plate circulated on the various social media platforms this past weekend is not the design of the new license plate to be introduced as a part of the department’s new modernisation plan,” the department said in a press release.

“The controller of road traffic expressed his extreme disappointment that the department’s efforts to transform the department, and to introduce new methods and systems of operation, are being adversely impacted by those who are determined to undermine the process, by issuing false information on the automation efforts. In this regard, the controller informed that there will be no increase in fees as a result of the automation project, and nor is there any need for drivers to purchase new license plates, if they have already licensed their vehicles. The normal licensing fees remain in effect.

“The controller (Ross Smith) advised further that the automation is progressing well, and details will be disseminated shortly on the project status, and the planned roll out of the new electronic workflow system to be utilised.”

Mr Smith warned members of the public to be “wary of false information conveyed on social media” and encouraged persons to pay attention to notices issued from the Department of Road Traffic by way of traditional media sources.

Before the department clarified the matter, Dr Minnis called on the government to disclose what was happening with the automation project.

He alleged that under the new system, licensing fees would increase.

“So a two-door Honda which was $195 (to license and register) will now be $590,” Dr Minnis claimed. “At a time when people are unemployed, struggling to meet bills, to meet commitments, pay light bills, buy food, this is another increase - an increase on top of taxation, on top of VAT that was introduced.

“It is our understanding that a new computer system that was introduced will not be able to transmit information from the old plate to the new (license) plates. The government does not care about the Bahamian population, a caring government would have advised about the changes.”

“The FNM is concerned and would like the government to explain this to the Bahamian populace. When will it be implemented and what would be the cost? This is not a government that is concerned about the Bahamian people especially at a time when unemployment is high, when people are losing their jobs, when people cannot meet the commitment they have now, cannot purchase the necessary food items because of VAT and now you want to introduce a new tax. “We have made a great mistake voting the Christie led tax government to guide the Bahamas from 2012 towards the road of destruction.”

In May, Mr Smith told the press that the Road Traffic Department will begin the roll out of a new automation process at the beginning of October.

His comments came after a damning auditor general’s report identified a number of weaknesses and revenue leakages in the department. To correct the inefficiencies Mr Smith said officials will implement a new automated system.

The new system cost taxpayers $8.3m.