Monday, April 5, 2010

The 115-Test



Dusseldorf - The lost car registration, questions about the family, trouble with bohrwütigen neighbors - who do I contact?
Since Tuesday there is a simple answer. Was under the speed dial "115", a new hot-line connected to all questions to local authorities. But, what sort of new super number?
Day one of the "D115" Service Center - already there in the morning rush. "To Item 8 clock rang for the first phone," says project manager Reinhold Liesner. "Every hour, we had 50 to 60 calls." 33 employees lure the citizens of 8 until 18 clock through the office jungle.
The promises of "D 115": For the 150 most popular themes such as identity and lost property should be immediately obtained some information, for all other within a day.
Information is also available via the authorities of other cities who participate in the pilot project (for example Mulheim, Wuppertal and Duisburg).
How well the new system works in practice? EXPRESS took the test and asked, inter alia: What can I do against neighbors, drill the late evening? How can I sell my car if I have lost my car registration? When there are 100 euro extra child benefit?
The Test Result: All the questions could be answered within two to seven minutes, usually only a few seconds we hung on hold (negative record: 1:30 minutes). The employees seemed motivated and friendly.
If they have a question about the child allowance (100 euros extra there are way-off) in April, have not answered, the caller is forwarded to a competent contact person from the competent authority.
Less enjoyable than the precise information - it even gave directions to the authorities - were the resulting bills.
To call the "115" free from a landline seven cents per minute, from a cell phone up to 39 cents. "This is the technology behind the speed dial number funded," said city spokesman Michael Miner. "The city deserves to call it."
For bargain hunters, who know which authority is dealing with your concerns, keep the old numbers available. Information about other "115" cities is there is not.