- Thread starter imlosttoo
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Public Transportation
If you can see yourself squeezed into a dirty 20 year old Corolla with holes on the floor and 4 passengers on the back seat and 3 passengers on the front seat, - with no AC in a sweltering heat, you'll feel right at home riding carro publico. Otherwise, private taxis are pretty cheap.
Public Transportation:
1) P?blicos, "conchos": small cars, with the exception of K route, generally not in very good condition, that follow a fixed route for $20 pesos. In daylight hours, these are generally a good way to get around once you learn where they go. If female, travel with a friend until you learn the ropes and the routes. "K" route which goes along Estrella Sadhal?, Yapur Dumit in the south part of Santiago has a strong union that requires better cars in good condition.
2) Motoconchos : Motorcycle taxis-generally speaking to be avoided at all costs. Dangerous and un-controlled.
3) Taxis: Some excellent (Emi Taxi, my own favorite: 809 581 3000. All cars are in excellent condition and A/C) some regular. All radio dispatched. $150 to most places in town.
4) OMSA...old, worn-out buses that follow a few routes around town, but they are few and service can only be called "erratic".
Hope this helps.
HB
1) P?blicos, "conchos": small cars, with the exception of K route, generally not in very good condition, that follow a fixed route for $20 pesos. In daylight hours, these are generally a good way to get around once you learn where they go. If female, travel with a friend until you learn the ropes and the routes. "K" route which goes along Estrella Sadhal?, Yapur Dumit in the south part of Santiago has a strong union that requires better cars in good condition.
2) Motoconchos : Motorcycle taxis-generally speaking to be avoided at all costs. Dangerous and un-controlled.
3) Taxis: Some excellent (Emi Taxi, my own favorite: 809 581 3000. All cars are in excellent condition and A/C) some regular. All radio dispatched. $150 to most places in town.
4) OMSA...old, worn-out buses that follow a few routes around town, but they are few and service can only be called "erratic".
Hope this helps.
HB
Private taxis are not cheap, in fact they cost, on par with US major city rates. Guaguas (vans) and carro publico (public route taxis) are cheap. Once you learn the routes they serve their purpose well for getting from point "A" to point "B" for less than a half dollar. For comfort pay double and enjoy the entire front seat.
And if you compare the two fares with the average wage in both locations, you have to agree the Dominican fare is proportionatly higher. Cheap on gringo standards, not if you make 10,000 pesos/month. On the otherhand, guagua and publicos travel is cheap. OK, Babaloo?
Ha ha - that's exactly how it is, during the rush hour. Also picture a driver who will simultaneously be collecting fares, talking on the phone and honking at each and every pedestrian on the way. On the other hand, at off-peak times you can be alone in a car driving through the whole city for 50 cents - it's not too bad.
When you write "uncontrolled" I assume you mean they are not licensed by the authorities? Coming from Puerto Plata I was surprised on my first visits to Santiago not to be assailed by a swarm of motoconchistas. In fact I cannot remember if I have ever seen one, presumably because those that do exist have no distinguishing clothing. They don't in Sosua either, but they sure let you know they are there!
I wonder why something which plays such a major part in the local lifestyle and economy in Puerto Plata has such a low profile in Santiago?