Expectation is the mother of disappointment. Right? Right? RIGHHHHT?!…read more I want to tell you I hated my experience at the RTA. That's the kind a fun-rant-filled kind of review you'd expect for the RTA. I was meant to make extremely witty and clever comparisons between the service level at the RTA and that of a high security prison cafeteria worker. I wanted to give you the kind of dissatisfaction that only can be expressed with a string of symbols: #$%^&*. And I have failed you. And for that, I am truly sorry. However, what I WILL give you is a mystical tale, one full of twists and turns and unexpected endings. I don't want to call it a miracle, but I will. It was an amazing sparkly experience which left me with a smile on my face and a new e-toll tag in my hand. (By the way, how cute is the new little e-toll tag?!) Now back to my tale... It was a warm (slightly rainy) Sydney day I remember it well, it was yesterday. Tuesday 3 December, 2014. I was bright-eyed and sober, stone cold sober (which I thought at first might be a huge mistake). It was lunch and I hadn't eaten - which anyone who knows me, hanger is real. I braced myself as I walked in and was greeted (yes greeted) by a woman who asked me what she could help me with. I'd like to note here that she was a real human. I took my ticket and waited a long and arduous 20 minutes. Gasp, is that really my number they are calling?! Yes, it is true - it's me! The woman took my details and my 7 year old e-toll tag, which stopped beeping, she typed a few things into the computer and I waited. I waited with the kind of fear you feel while you sit next to your mailbox awaiting your year 9 report card. Then, just as abruptly as it began, it ended. She handed me my e-toll tag and told me to have a great day. She smiled. The good kind of smile, like she actually cared and enjoyed her job. I walked outside. Then I walked back inside to look around and make sure I wasn't high. But sadly I wasn't. I walked back to work and smiled at 3 people, (randoms on the street) my hand held firmly around my e-toll tag as if to keep the moment for a little bit longer. I miss that day already. It was special and I felt special and I wish it never had to end. But I think of it fondly every time NSW transport rips me off (which is pretty much on every f#*%ing toll road.) All I have to do is hear that gentle "beep-beep" and I am back there again.

It's hard to get excited about bureaucracy. Take a number, sit in a plastic chair for longer than…read moreyou ought, then discover there is at least one piece of paper you've forgotten. Isn't that how it works? Contrary to typical experience, through several processes - converting licenses, re-registering cars, applying for learners permits - the Manly RTA has consistently proven friendly and flexible. Most things can be handled onsite if you've forgotten them (photocopies, passport photos etc) and although the wait can be lengthy at times at least the office is cool and clean. And given it's Manly, there's welcome onsite parking - be a shame to be issued a ticket whilst paying for the last one, really.

Trust me when I tell you it pains me to say the State Government got something right but the…read moreService Centres are a great idea. Basically they have centralised the front-facing functions of a number of agencies so you're not traipsing all over town on your State Government related errands. I was able to renew my licence, replace my E-Tag and request a copy of my Birth Certificate, all in one go. It seems like most people still come here mostly for RTA services (I know I should say RMS but I don't cope well with change). Being the Government, of course they will never manage to combine all their process so I did have to run my bank card through the machine three times to pay for all this but still I appreciate the saving of my Tax-Payer dollars that this amalgamation will eventually achieve. The staff are clearly KPI'd on smiles which overall made for quite a pleasant bureaucratic experience.

In an out within an hour - how is that even possible?!…read more I needed to go to a motor registry to convert my HK driving license to an an aussie one ....and I was dreading it. Bad memories surfaced as I remembered how painful it was each time I had to go to a DMV/ BMV in the USA. I thought it would be no different here since all government bodies function at the same level of efficiency. (In NYC, I had to go to the DMV half an hour BEFORE it opened so that I could get in line, mind you - it was super long already, to prevent my half day leave turning into a full day.) I WAS WRONG. At 12pm on a Monday, there were probably 10 - 15 people in there. Took a ticket, sat down and started playing candy crush. 10 mins later - it was my turn (*shocked*) 15 mins later [at the counter] - paperwork was completed, photo was taken, fees was paid (*surprised*) 5 mins later - collected my license and left (*EXTREMELY HAPPY*) The woman behind the counter was nice, polite, pleasant, efficient and smiled from time to time. ( that never ever happens in the US !!) PS: BF who went to the branch at Wynyard, converting his US license to an aussie one, was in and out within 15 minutes ! (granted that he did not receive his license right then as they mailed it instead) ***** Is this process in the Guinness book of records?? *****