President Danilo Medina announced the start of operations of the Santo Domingo Metro second line for the end of the month during his state of the nation address on Wednesday, 27 February. Meanwhile, the director of the Metro, engineer Diandino Pena says that RD$150-RD$200 million is still needed to pay contractors and complete works before it can start, as reported in El Dia. He said that the funds were allocated in the 2013 budget and expects these to be disbursed any day now.
He confirmed that the second line of the metro would enter into operation on the announced date, because the President has given his word. The completed first part of the second line will transport passengers from Av. Luperon to Av. Duarte with Quinto Centenario bridge.
Interviewed during a visit to the Presidential Palace, he said that 14 cars would run on the new tracks, in addition to the 19 already in operation on the first line that runs from Villa Mella to the Centro de los Heroes.
He said at present around 125,000 tickets are issued for passengers every day.
Diario Libre reports that at least three stations are still under construction, missing the installation of elevators and escalators. Pena said that 90 buses have been purchased for the Metro 2 feeder routes. He told Diario Libre reporters that the start of operation of line 2 would eliminate the need for the government subsidy.