I use it quite a lot and am always surprised how well it seems to run. The platforms are really long compared to the trains, so I have been wondering when someone will realise that new trains are needed. I have seen a map where they were planning new lines and stations in the Colonial Zone (Plaza Independencia) and at the airport. I wonder if any of us will still be alive when these get built.
As long that Danilo is president, don’t expect they will start construction on any new Metro lines. Danilo is taking his sweet time finishing Line 2. According to the initial construction plans, by this time Line 3 should had been under construction (along ave 27 de Febrero and Las Américas).
Look at it like this. The construction of the first line basically created a boom in Metro construction in Latin America. It was built in record time and quite cheaply compared to what these things normally cost. Delegations from various countries were sent to Santo Domingo to see how the Dominicans did it so quickly and cheaply. Among those delegations was one from Panama. They came, they saw, and they liked it. So, well after Line 2 of SD Metro started construction, in Panama they started the construction of their own Metro.
Speed up to today and Line 2 of SD is still not finished, only two segments of three are functioning. Yet, in Panama...
[video=youtube;LxIxhHz6kCY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxIxhHz6kCY[/video]
Yes, during the time Line 2 of SD is built (and nowhere near being completed), Panama basically built 2 lines and they have the 3rd line fully designed with construction starting as soon as their Line 2 is completed.
Leonel built Line 1 and roughly 50% of Line 2. In 8 years Danilo barely completed sightly less than half of the remaining 50% of line 2. Never mind that Line 6 (the Colonial Zone connection) was suppose to be done by now and Line 3 should had been under construction.
And, drums please, the feeder buses that were suppose to make it easy and comfortable for barrio people to access the metro without taking the inhumanly crowded conchos have yet to be put in operation.
Lima, Peru is another city inspired by the SD Metro. They became motivated enough to finish their first line that was under construction and paralyzed since the 1980’s and now they are working on their second line. I bet they will finish before Santo Domingo. The Peruvians went as far as ordering the same exact trains that the DR got, except theirs are green. lol