An Alarming Situation for Users
The Transit Coordinator of the Independent Union of Civil Servants (CSIF) has expressed her concern regarding the current situation of the General Directorate of Transit (DGT) in Catalonia, stating that the coverage of positions is insufficient. According to the union, there are 452 budgeted positions, of which only 65.93% are occupied, which is equivalent to 298 employees. This lack of personnel generates a serious problem in the efficiency of the services that must be offered to citizens.
Consequences of Lack of Personnel
The CSIF assures that the shortage of officials directly affects waiting times in all procedures related to traffic. Currently, the waiting period to take the driving license practical test is up to four months. This becomes a major inconvenience for citizens looking to obtain their driver’s licenses in a timely manner.
Urgent Reinforcement Demands
Given this situation, the union has requested the incorporation of 1,000 new employees throughout Spain, since it considers that the current number of workers is too low. CSIF highlights that there are currently around 3,000 workers in the DGT, while it is estimated that at least 4,000 would be needed to guarantee proper functioning.
Additional Challenges During the Summer
During the summer season, the situation is further complicated due to the increase in the number of citizens in tourist areas, which places additional pressure on DGT officials. Although the province of Lleida seems to have a less problematic situation, the union points out that it cannot be considered satisfactory either.
Analysis of the Situation in Different Offices
Below is a breakdown of employment in the different DGT offices in Catalonia: In Barcelona, of a total of 255 positions, only 169 are occupied, which represents 66.27% occupancy. In Sabadell, out of 55 places, there are 32 occupied (58.18%). Girona has 53 places, of which 36 are covered, reaching 67.92%. In Lleida, occupancy is 71.43% with 25 of 35 places, and Tarragona presents 66.67% with 36 of 54 occupied.
Inadequate Remuneration
CSIF has also highlighted that, in addition to the lack of staff, the salaries received by DGT officials are quite low. Specifically, Information Operators, who are in charge of customer service in the offices, barely receive more than 1,200 euros per month. In contrast, the average salary in Catalonia was 2,050 euros per month last year. This obvious difference generates considerable discontent among workers, since only 115 of the 254 specific customer service positions are occupied, which represents 45.28% of the total.
