RENO (AP) - Wait times have nearly doubled at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Reno since budget cuts forced the closure of three satellite offices in the region.
Customers waited an average of 42 minutes in July compared with 23 minutes in the same month last year, state statistics released this week show.
The main office saw 4,166 more customers last month than in July 2008, most likely because of the closure in June of the satellite offices in Reno, Sparks and Gardnerville, Nevada DMV spokesman Tom Jacobs said. The move is expected to save $1 million this year.
"The customers that were being served by the express offices now all have to go to the Reno office," Jacobs said. "Common sense says that's what the spike is from."
In addition, four technicians at the Reno office are on furlough each day. Jacobs said it's not clear what impact that has had.
The average wait at the Carson City office also rose, but Jacobs said specific statistics were unavailable for that office or for the whole state.
The delays have angered some people.
Linda English, 63, said she recently waited at the Reno office nearly four hours for about seven minutes of service registering a new car.
"It's totally ridiculous," she said. "I understand that (Gov.) Gibbons had to cut here and there, but when they shut down those little outer offices, that was the worst thing they could do. There are a thousand ways they could have cut it."
Others seem resigned to the situation.
"It is what it is," said Janna Gamba, 54, after waiting two hours to register a new vehicle. "I think the system works OK."
Since furloughs began July 1, employees essentially have operated with one arm tied behind their backs, Reno office supervisor Gerry Anderson said.
"They work pretty fast. They really do," said Anderson, gesturing to the employees in the packed office at noon Tuesday. "We just keep plugging along and try to get everyone out as soon as possible."