SUMMARY:

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP) of Uruguay has taken an important step towards the digitalization of its procedures. the implementation of the Apia system, developed by STATUM, has optimized the management of occasional permits for passenger transportation, facilitating the authorization of domestic and international travel.
 

INFORMATION:

José Russomano, STATUM partner and representative of Fx2 Software Factory, highlighted the importance of this modernization. "Before, procedures were carried out through multiple channels, such as e-mails and physical folders. Now everything is concentrated in a single access point," he explained.

How was the process before Apia

The processing of occasional permits already existed, but its management was less efficient. The previous system had complex maintenance and applications were handled through different channels, which complicated the administration and consolidation of information.

"Before, transport operators depended on the MTOP to manage permits. Now, they can do it directly through the system, which makes operations much easier," Russomano said.

The possibility of self-management offered by the Apia system allows companies to register, modify, cancel permits and print without any intermediaries. This autonomy streamlines the process and significantly reduces the administrative burden for the MTOP.

According to Russomano, the ability to manage these procedures firsthand is one of the most relevant benefits of the system: "The benefit comes from the self-management. Before, they did not have them digitalized and depended on the MTOP for any modification," he said.

Requirements and regulations for the permits

The processing of occasional permits covers the registration, modification and cancellation of authorizations for sporadic trips, both within and outside the country. Companies must comply with current regulations, which establish specific requirements for authorized drivers.

The requirements include driver's license category and age limits for drivers, who must be between 25 and 65 years old. “There are regulations on the subject of passenger transportation that demand certain requirements for drivers,” Russomano explained.

Optimization and safety in travel

The modernization of the procedure also facilitates route planning and compliance with requirements according to the distance of the trip. For international trips, the system allows specifying border points, estimated duration and authorized drivers.

Russomano explained that on long and international trips it is mandatory to have two licensed drivers. “According to the distance traveled, the permit has to specify the drivers who will be driving,” he said. This provision seeks to guarantee safety and compliance with the regulations.

Other related procedures

The Apia system not only facilitates the management of occasional permits, but also integrates other procedures, such as insurance submission and management of authorized users. This integration allows companies to access all services from a single point, avoiding duplication and errors.

According to Russomano, the automation and centralization of processes has been key to improving the efficiency of the system. “Today all insurance updates go through that lane and have a periodic demand because each company manages its expirations independently,” he explained.