For years, Dominicans have been seeing how Haitian drivers are becoming everyday more common as moto-taxi drivers. Now, it seems, they are being hired to drive buses along the routes awarded to transport associations.
Tony Marte, the secretary general of the National Confederation of Transportation (Conatra), has accused the National Federation of Transport New Option (Fenatrano) of illegally invading transport routes in Greater Santo Domingo, employing Haitian drivers who lack legal documentation, Listin Diario reports.
Marte pointed out that Fenatrano has violated Law 63-17, which mandates that all transportation companies adhere to specific regulations set forth by the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant). He emphasized that only regularized Haitian immigrants should be authorized as drivers within the transport system.
“When President Luis Abinader announced the Santo Domingo Metro extension to the Las Américas International Airport, Fenatrano, led by Juan Hubieres, decided to invade routes and violate regulations in an effort to pressure the state, claiming an acquired right to operate in these areas when they are not authorized,” Marte stated.
He noted that when Fenatrano occupies these routes, they often hire undocumented Haitian nationals as drivers without following proper registration protocols. Marte says these undocumented individuals respond to those who pay them, which he said could pose a significant threat not only to Intrant but to national security as well, as reported in Listin Diario.
Marte explained that the routes operating under Intrant are legal, while those that are invaded create dangerous situations. “These illegal operations sometimes involve armed individuals, leading to insecurity for our members,” he added.
He stressed the urgency for the government to address these issues, which not only affect users of the transport service but also endanger drivers. “It is critical for the state to take decisive action to halt these invasions. In a civilized country, Haitian nationals should not be driving public vehicles while routes are being opened that jeopardize citizen safety, especially when many do not possess documentation,” Marte said.
He clarified that if Haitian individuals had legal documents, such as residency, they could qualify as public service drivers. “However, they lack the necessary requirements to be registered, and transportation must be managed by properly documented individuals,” he emphasized.
Marte concluded by warning that Conatra and its 1,300 affiliated organizations will hold Juan Hubieres accountable if Fenatrano continues its route invasions.
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Listin Diario
3 October 2024