The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has officially opened a new Customer Service Centre at its Pine, St. Michael headquarters, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, declaring that the state agency intends “to do better in serving the public.”
Delivering the feature address before cutting the ribbon to declare the facility officially open, Ms. Bradshaw conceded that the necessary transformation and modernisation of the facility was “a work in progress” as they continue to fine-tune the operations of the BLA.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the BLA “is taking bold steps towards modernisation to improve the customer experience, operational efficiency and public access to essential licensing services.”
She said the opening of the new Customer Service Centre “marks a major milestone in that transformation.” The facility will provide centralized services in one convenient location, same-day vehicle registrations, and a seamless link with the Barbados Revenue Authority. The centre is also fully wheelchair accessible and offers a Digital Self-Service Kiosk for customers wishing to use the BLA’s website on-site to upload or download documents, check the status of applications, or complete forms without needing to return home.
As part of its digital transformation, the BLA is introducing a new Driving Licence Management System (DLMS) that will allow citizens to pay for and renew their driving licences online. In the first phase of its roll-out, the DLMS will also send automated reminders when licences are due for renewal, enable parents to register 16-year-olds for the regulation test, as well as facilitate licence upgrades and payment for both the regulation and driving tests. In the second phase of the DLMS, insurance companies will gain access to a portal giving them viewing rights for real-time driver licence verification when processing new policies, renewals, or on the scene of an accident.
Acting Chief Licensing Officer, Mrs. Treca McCarthy-Broomes, also gave remarks during the ceremony. She said the new Customer Service Centre “represents not only a state-of-the-art facility, but a renewed commitment to delivering efficient, inclusive, and customer-focused service in a way that meets the needs of a modern Barbados and in keeping with the goals of the Government”.
Pointing out that in the past BLA customers were required to visit multiple buildings to complete what should have been simple transactions, Mrs. McCarthy-Broomes said the BLA had heard the concerns and frustrations and was proud to deliver a solution. (SB/MTW)
