The Transport Reorganization Office (Opret) says that a total of 100 million passengers have used the Santo Domingo Metro in the four years since it started running, contributing to a major reduction of pollution in the metropolitan area.
OPRET deputy director Leonel Carrasco says that about 100,000 people are using the Metro every day. As a result of this increased usage the government subsidy that was originally US$25 million has been reduced to US$8 million. According to Carrasco, the Metro system contributes RD$650 million a year from ticket sales. He said that when Metro II enters into full service, within three or four years the subsidy will be practically zero. Although a priority for the Leonel Fernandez administration, funding for the Metro has lagged behind the department’s expectations and there is no date for the second Duarte Highway-John F. Kennedy Avenue line to enter into operation.