Members of the Dominican Republic’s Armed Forces will join those of the Police and receive free access to the nation’s mass transit system, including the Santo Domingo Metro and Teleférico (cable car), starting in January, the government announced over the weekend.
The directive, which grants thousands of military personnel free travel, was revealed by the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, during a Christmas luncheon hosted by President Luis Abinader on Saturday at the Ministry of Defense headquarters.
Defense Minister Fernández Onofre explained that the measure comes as a direct instruction from the President and is intended as a significant recognition of the service provided by the men and women of the military institutions.
During the event, President Abinader reiterated his deep commitment to the Armed Forces, emphasizing the government’s efforts to improve their conditions.
“In these years of Government, we have been improving the conditions of the Armed Forces, and to the extent of our possibilities, we will continue to do so. Because you deserve it, and because without a strong Armed Forces, there is no strong country,” the President asserted.
The benefit for all members of the National Police (officials and enlisted personnel) to use the OMSA buses, the Metro, and the Teleférico for free, simply by presenting their current ID card, was announced and agreed upon in December 2020 during the first administration of President Luis Abinader under the program called “Pasaje Policial” (Police Fare).
The Metro and Cable Car service in the Dominican Republic is heavily subsidized by the government that has maintained the same fares as when the Metro began in January 2009.
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Diario Libre
8 December 2025