News analyst Juan Bolivar Diaz in a Saturday write up in Hoy newspaper compares the costs of the Puerto Rico metro at US$2.2 billion or US$127.9 million per kilometer (17.2 kms) to the US$327 million figure used by Metro Minister Diandino Pena for the Santo Domingo metro. When its construction was begun in 1996, the San Juan metro had a budget of US$1.25 million, one billion less than the actual figure of the unfinished subway. He says that Metro Minister Diandino Pena is aware of these costs but argues that labor in the DR will cost less.
In his analysis, Diaz highlights that the Puerto Rican metro only goes underground for 1.9 kilometer, or an eighth of the total extension. He said that stretch cost US$478 million, or US$251 million per tunnel kilometer.
The Santo Domingo metro is being promoted as costing only US$10 million, despite the planned ten kilometers being completely underground. He also questions the cost of RD$5-RD$10 for fare of the metro, when comparing it to world standard of US$1.50 to US$2 per ride. The Santo Domingo metro would have to compete with the conchos and buses that circulate above.
Diaz also comments on the construction time proposed by the promoters. The promoters say they can build the 10 kilometers of underground tunnels in three and a half years. The metro of San Juan was supposed to be completed in five years, and has taken 10 years, even when only an eighth of the construction is underground.
For more discussions and links with information on the Puerto Rico metro, see http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37887&highlight=metro