Only 43 of 500 OMSA public transport vehicles were in service yesterday in Santo Domingo, according to Hoy newspaper. The report says that the vehicles remained parked for lack of funds to purchase fuel. OMSA confirmed today that only 10 buses would offer service. Meanwhile, the authorities? financial difficulties have resulted in a critical scarcity of propane gas, the combustible of choice for 70% of the privatized public-transport vehicles. The fuel importers refuse to import more propane unless the government pays money owed for the official subsidy. As a result, traffic on the streets of Santo Domingo is a breeze for those who own their own vehicles, while a nightmare for those who rely on public transportation. Hoy reports that the situation is similar in Santiago, the country?s second largest city.