HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom
Ridge's efforts to make state government more accessible to all
Pennsylvanians, PennDOT's new mobile driver and vehicle services unit will
visit the 1998 Pittsburgh Auto Show from Saturday, February 14, through
Sunday, February 22.
The mobile unit will serve customers on the plaza of the David L. Lawrence
Convention Center, which is located at 10th Street at Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh.
Customer service hours are as follows: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, from
11 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Sundays, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.; and Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, from noon until 10 p.m.
Members of the media are also invited to tour PennDOT's latest innovation,
which has served more than 2,000 customers to date.
"Gov. Ridge has challenged all of state government to provide
Pennsylvanians greater access to its services," said State Transportation
Secretary Bradley L. Mallory. "This mobile services unit further demonstrates
PennDOT's commitment to meeting that challenge and in turn, better serving our
customers. It allows us to deliver services to citizens throughout the
Commonwealth, where and when they need it."
Mallory officially unveiled the mobile unit at ribbon-cutting ceremonies
held in August 1997. The project was a joint effort between PennDOT and the
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
To be as cost efficient as possible, PennDOT purchased a used 1986 Neoplan
motor coach in January 1997 through competitive bid. The motor coach then
underwent complete interior and exterior refurbishing by inmates at the State
correctional Institution at Albion.
The mobile unit visits community events, fairs, schools, senior citizen
centers, office complexes and trade shows. In emergencies, the mobile unit
may also assist disaster victims by providing immediate support.
Customers can expect on-the-spot service for most driver and vehicle
transactions. Services featured on the mobile unit include: driver license
and registration renewals; photo identification; change of address requests
for licenses or registrations; and special fund license plate purchases.
PennDOT can now bring these services directly to Pennsylvania communities
through a telecommunications connection. Equipment aboard the mobile unit
allows direct communication with PennDOT's mainframe computer.
The air-conditioned vehicle measures 40-feet-long, and has an interior
layout similar to PennDOT's Customer Service Center in Harrisburg. Inside,
customers will find user-friendly counters that make business transactions
comfortable but confidential. Outside, seating under a protective awning
provides customers with a weather-proof waiting area and information resource
center. PennDOT had a lift installed to ensure the vehicle is handicapped-
accessible.
Total costs associated with the vehicle's purchase and renovation were
$107,000. A new vehicle without interior modifications and equipment would
have cost the Commonwealth over $200,000.
In addition to mobile services, PennDOT operates 96 photo centers and
71 driver license centers in Pennsylvania. Residents have on-the-spot access
to driver and vehicle services through 39 private-sector, messenger companies.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.ppt.psu.edu
CONTACT:
Anne Patterson, 717-705-1092, or Dick
Skrinjar, 412-429-5010, both of PennDOT
CNOC: http://www.prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804, ext.
682850
|
