(WICHITA, Kan.) — Eyewitness News is committed to gettin the facts right, so, we're correcting an error from earlier newscasts and here at www.kwch.com.
We reported that county tag offices across the state would be closed between December 1 and 7 to switch over to a new registration system.
The Kansas Treasurer's Office says the system upgrades, originally set for December, have been pushed back to 2012. No new date has been set.
--------
Your next trip to the tag office may be easier and quicker thanks to a new computer system upgrade.
Phil Walker expected a lengthy visit to the tag office Tuesday. He had to title a new car and renew a motorcycle license. Paperwork proved to be a problem, this is his third trip to the tag office.
"I've been working on this since August," Walker said. "So if it took the whole day I was going to be ok, as long as I got the mission accomplished."
He did get it done, and the process took about 20 minutes. He's glad to hear next year's visit may not take as long.
"Everybody is short on time," Walker said. "So if we can save it, thats all good."
Right now when you grab a ticket, it can take ten minutes or more to get a new title or registration. Under the new system, it should take about 2 minutes and for the average renewal it should take less than a minute.
"Its very daunting," said Sedgwick County Treasure Linda Kizzire. "We've been working on this change for over 3 years."
Kizzire helped design the system that will be used in all 105 Kansas counties.
In addition to saving you time in line, it will also make the job easier to do as well.
"We're going to scan your paperwork here on site, and electronically send it to the State." Kizzire said.
That should save money on postage, and a lot of paper.
Plus for the first time your tag sticker number will match your plate number. The new sticker should cut down on confusion if you own multiple vehicles. It also helps law enforcement, because they'll have immediate access to the information in their patrol cars.
"In today's age, the more information that you have at your fingertips out there the better." said Sedgwick County Sheriff's Major Michael Oliver. "We can be more proactive on car stops, on stopping crime."
Of course with any major change, the tag office says be prepared for a few hiccups.
"We're hoping its seamless," Kizzire said. "But anytime you do conversion of millions of records, there is going to be an issue with probably a few."
The tag office will have to shut down for a week to install the new system, but hours will be extended before and after that shut down to lesson the affect on customers.
