SANTO DOMINGO.- The operations of Santo Domingo’s Metro Line 1 (subway) are about to collapse, said Transport Reform Office (Opret) deputy director Leonel Carrasco, who revealed serious economic difficulties.
"We have difficulties in maintaining and operating the Metro, we don’t want to let the system drop which has cost us so much sacrifice, first the Dominican people with taxes and second those of us who make the effort to maintain it. We’re breaking our backs working to keep the system from falling," he said, quoted by diariolibre.com.
Among the deficiencies Carrasco cited leaks in several stations and problems with the air conditioning system in some of the cars.
In that regard the official asked the Government to allocate the around RD$650.0 million in funds which he affirms Opret collects in fares each year.
Carrasco acknowledged however that despite the economic difficulties facing the country, president Danilo Medina instructed the Finance Ministry to allocate funds to operate the Metro’s 2nd Line by year end.
"Danilo, despite the economic situation, has ordered that we be attended. President Medina had ordered the Finance Minister to obtain funds for Line 2 and have the firm conviction that we’ll be providing east-west services at the end of this year."
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I am sure the above story is all just an exaggeration and PICHARDO will fill us in on the Dominican Reality of the Metro.