The capital of the Dominican Republic has a vehicle density of 13,082 vehicles per km2. This makes the National District, the capital with the most vehicle density in Latin America. The data was shared on the occasion of “World Day Without Cars.” A feature in Listín Diario reports on a new study that determined the capital city is suffering from “an epidemic of vehicles on its streets: 4.3 million units, an increase of 253,546 cars in just one year.”
The study carried out by the Fundación Economía y Desarrollo on traffic and mobility highlights how within Greater Santo Domingo, the National District stands out. “It is ‘the patient zero’ in a study on traffic and mobility carried out by the Fundación Economía y Desarrollo. Maite de Jesus, chief coordinator of the study, explained that 1.4 million vehicles circulate in the 104.4 km2 of the National District. This results in an overwhelming statistic: a vehicle density of 13,082 vehicles per km2, which makes the Dominican capital the first in vehicular density in all of Latin America.
The study concluded that city drivers are unable to let go of their vehicles because they have no other option due to the low quality of public transport and the high perception of risk associated with regularly available services. The study urges shared taxis to be eliminated and more investment in massive, modern public passenger transport.
On occasion of the Week of Sustainable Mobility, the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) organized a campaign to promote bicycle riding. Claudia Franchesca de los Santos, director of the Intrant, said the mobility event is held annually to promote friendly means of transportation and good practices for better mobility in the city.
Statistics from the Tax Agency (DGII) show that every year the vehicle fleet has increased. In 2018 there were more than 4.3 million vehicle units registered, 253,546 more than the previous year.
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Listin Diario
23 September 2019