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Unprecedented waits RENO, NV September 22  Consumers continue to wait in long lines, now up to 10 hours, to take care of business at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

DMV officials are saying that it could take up to six months before all the bugs are worked out of the Genesis computer system. Customers are lining up as early as 6 a.m. in the morning to stake their claim to a spot in line. Other customers are waiting in line until 8 p.m. at night for their turn. Like dozens of other people waiting in what seems to be a never-ending line Joanne Kuras is running out of patience. Were living here without sleeping bags. Theyre talking about 4 or five or 6 hour waits here. Whats going on? said Joanne Kuras. Ive had to wait 6 hours and I have to get to work, said Kaye Warrick. Employers have had to show some understanding and the computer problems have even made excuses for expired plates and licenses Its been one of the normal excuses before, but now its proving to be correct because of the known computer problems, said Sgt. Scott Munns. Customers are able to receive a temporary permit for their drivers license or registration. The DMV has already handed out hundreds of permits to people who cant wait in line long. Some people say whether its now or in ten daystheres no avoiding a long wait. Customers can get an unlimited number of temporary permits, some have already received 3 or 4. DMV officials say problems with the new system include printing transactions and calculating fees. DMV officials are still urging customers to mail-in their transactions if possible. However, the mail-in process that normally takes 2-3 days is taking 2-3 weeks. The new $34 million computer system was implemented to better serve customers and save taxpayer costs for new buildings.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KRNV/39640.asp

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@bellfry.com), September 23, 1999