On behalf of senior citizens please allow me to comment on this. Now that I am a bona fide senior citizen, having turned 65 in July, I was happy when Minister Imbert, in the budget presentation, declared that we do not have to pay to renew our drivers’ permits. I never thought I would feel happy to be old.
Hip hip hooray a benefit for me! But lo and behold it is not what it appears to be. To begin with, I now have to get a doctor’s examination certificate, stating that I am fit to drive, but I have to pay the doctor for a visit, supply a photo, that I also have to pay for.
And then the “coup de grace.” Arriving at the St James division of the Licencing Authority, I was told that I have to stand in line with at least 40 to 50 “junior citizens” to go to the cashier.
“But I don’t have to pay, so why should I go in the cashier’s line?” I asked the attendant. “Because unfortunately that is the only line we have at this time,” was the reply. So my senior citizens benefit is really of no benefit to me at all. How senseless is this situation?
Needless to say I left since it was close to two o’clock and “cash” closes at 3 o’clock.
Already some of the banks have discontinued the “senior citizens line” in some of the branches, and now this? Come, Mr Imbert or whoever the cap fits, put a hand and sort out this oversight, which I am sure is all it is. But please, do it before my permit expires.
W Dopson,
Woodbrook