PHOTO: Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Bob Gordon and Assemblyman Jerry Green today called for responsive action by the Motor Vehicle Commission to remedy the lengthy delays that have plagued the inspection stations and service centers throughout the state.

“Numerous news reports and complaints from constituents have highlighted lengthy delays and the inability of the motor vehicles agencies to provide the services that New Jersey’s motorists must have to operate their vehicles,” said Senator Sweeney. “These delays are inexcusable. It’s more than an inconvenience – it is a disruption to their lives. They need to get their licenses, registrations, inspections and other requirements in order to use their vehicles in a timely manner.”

Senator Gordon, who leads the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, said he will schedule a hearing by the committee to get an accounting of the problems at the MVC and help to identify solutions.

“For most residents, the motor vehicle agency is the part of state government they interact with the most,” said Senator Gordon. “To them, it is the face of government. It is the agency that should operate the best. It is the agency that should be as consumer friendly as possible.”

Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman and Assemblyman Green participated in the news conference.

The operational problems have caused growing delays, created longer lines and forced motorists to make repeated return trips to the service centers. Customers have been forced to wait close to two hours, some have been turned away without getting service, supplies such as pens and pencils have not been available, and the centralized computer system has frequently malfunctioned, making many transactions impossible.

“There are no good excuses. The MVC has to find out what the problems are, take whatever actions are needed to fix them and they should get it done as quickly as possible,” said Senator Scutari, who was unable to attend. “The motorists pay for these services. They should get it without unreasonable delays, without problems and without headaches.”

The agency has said that “computer problems” are the cause of many of the delays, and have referred to the decade-long plan to upgrade the computer systems, a project that has had starts and stops. Officials also refer to the fact that many motorists tend to use the facilities at the end of each month, when their documents expire.

Neither excuse is adequate, Senator Gordon said. The computer upgrades are long-term plans that should be “planned out” and the monthly flow of customers should be expected.

“I want to get an update on the status of the new computer system and the problems the MVC has been experiencing,” said Senator Gordon. “There should be steps that can be taken for short-term improvements as the long-range remedies are made.”

(Photo attached Assemblyman Green, Senator Sweeney, Mayor Steinman & Patrick Cassio.)

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