Drivers may get a speedier way to pay their traffic fines following a call to instal self-service machines in malls, parks and public spaces across Bahrain.
The Cabinet will consider the implications after municipal officials called for a rethink on expanding access to services.
The proposal, submitted by Northern Municipal Council member Mohammed Al Dossary, aims to make traffic-related transactions easier for people carrying out their daily routines without needing to visit the General Directorate of Traffic or service centres.
Mr Al Dossary
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa confirmed that discussions had already taken place with the Interior Ministry’s General Directorate of Traffic regarding expanding the use of electronic self-service kiosks.
“We would like to inform the municipal council that co-ordination is underway with the General Directorate of Traffic concerning self-service government machines, including traffic services, provided through PIE company kiosks in public facilities,” said Shaikh Mohammed in an official reply to the council.
Shaikh Mohammed
He explained that many services were already available digitally through the Traffic Directorate’s electronic channels, the national eGovernment portal and the Bahrain ‘MyGov’ application.
“Driving licence renewal amongst other services are currently available electronically through the General Directorate of Traffic application, the national eGovernment portal and the MyGov Bahrain application,” he said. “This allows beneficiaries to complete transactions easily and quickly without needing to visit the General Directorate of Traffic or service centres.”
However, Mr Al Dossary argued that many residents still preferred or required physical service machines in convenient locations, particularly in busy public areas.
“The proposal is about making life easier for people,” he said. “Shoppers in malls, families in parks, joggers on walkways and elderly residents may want quick and direct access to services without having to plan a separate trip.”
He added that strategically placing machines in public venues could encourage wider use of digital government services while reducing congestion at traffic branches.
According to council discussions, the proposal seeks to instal user-friendly kiosks capable of handling services such as driving licence renewals, payment of traffic fines and printing official documents.
Municipal officials said the matter had now been referred to the Cabinet for further review and consideration.
The move comes as Bahrain continues to expand its digital government transformation, with increasing reliance on electronic platforms for public services.
But, councillors believe combining digital applications with physical self-service kiosks could offer a more inclusive solution for residents who are less familiar with smartphone applications or who prefer on-the-spot transactions while visiting public destinations.
The proposal has generated interest among council members, who view it as part of wider efforts to modernise municipal services and improve accessibility for the public.
If approved, the machines could appear in major commercial centres, promenades and municipal facilities across the kingdom in the future.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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