The Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) announced that a re-organization of traffic along the 27 de Febrero Avenue will go into effect on Monday, 26 January, which coincides with the birthday of Juan Pablo Duarte, founder of the nation. Bus lanes have been set for a new fleet of 80 40-passenger buses. The government has purchased 600 of these buses to cover important city routes. The authorities estimate that the new measures will enable those using the corridor that crosses the city from east to west to double their average speed from the present 10 kms per hour to 20 kms per hour. Minibus unions operating on the route have said they do not agree with the measure. As of 26 January, the 27 de Febrero will be off limits to minibuses, carritos publicos (taxis that carry passengers going in different directions), and motorcycle transport. The plan is for these smaller vehicles to serve as feeders to the large buses. There will be 98 bus stops along the way. Cargo operations of businesses along the avenue that do not have their own parking area will only be allowed to operate from 10 pm to 6 am. A new metropolitan transport police is in charge of enforcing the new regulations, and will be doing so with 90 AMET policemen assigned to enforce the route. The police force will be increased to 400 as new corridors are added. In addition to the 27 de Febrero corridor, other avenues that will be improved for fast transit are in the north-south direction, the Maximo Gómez, Abraham Lincoln, Nuñez de Caceres. In the east-west direction, Independencia and John F. Kennedy avenues are in the plans. The John F. Kennedy Av., north of central Santo Domingo, is next up for expansion works.
