A report in Diario Libre today, Monday 17 March recommends taking taxis from registered companies. In the Dominican Republic taxi rides are relatively cheap and safe, but the report warns that some rides offer more guarantees than others.
As reported, there are around 25,000 taxis of which 10,000 are inter-communicated. The taxi service in the country is regulated by Law 7600 that created the Council for Administration and Regulation of Taxis (CART).
Approximately 100 taxi companies operate the Greater Santo Domingo (National District + Province of Santo Domingo). “Nevertheless, it is not always advisable to board the first vehicle you find. It is better to call one of the companies that operate under the law to request the service, then confirm that the details of the vehicle that has arrived match the description provided by the company radio operator. The reason is simple: Aside from the 100 taxi companies in Greater Santo Domingo, there are approximately 50 from provinces in the East, Cibao and South for another 25,000. But only 10,000 of those 25,000 are inter-communicated. The others are not affiliated, says the Dominican Taxi Companies Association (Adetaxi).
The association spokesman said that when a taxi is contracted by radio service, the user has a telephone where they can call, a physical place where they can locate, in case of a complaint, a person and a vehicle that can be identified because the radio service has to meet the CART requirements.
As reported, 3,487 units of 25,000 that circulate nationwide are affiliated to CART.
Adetaxi president Esteban Vargas warned that many people hit the streets after work to pick up passengers. He said that the registered taxis guarantee that 90% of passengers can recover any items they leave behind.
The taxi companies include Aero, Anacaona, Cacique, Capital, Son, Express, La Monumental, Tecni, La Ruta, Santo Domingo, Las Colinas, Popular, Sonido, Miraflores, Nacional, La Vega, Eric, La Ruta and Cibao.
The minimum cost for service is RD$180 and RD$200.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2014/03/17/-con-muchos-taxis-sin-regular