El Dia newspaper reports that the Mejia administration will distribute new units to motoconcho drivers around the country, ostensibly as part of Plan Renove, the transport program which has cost taxpayers millions of dollars to dispense vehicles under preferential terms to those with influence in government. Motoconchos are motorcycles that are used as taxis.
The newspaper says it is unclear whether this is really part of the governmental transport program, or rather part of the Mejia re-election campaign. Reportedly, the program to distribute the motorcycles will start at the end of April, in time for the final days before the 16 May election. Plan Renove?s chief, Fabio Ruiz Rosado, said that at the moment he is circulating forms to those motoconcho drivers who wish to benefit from the plan. Ruiz told the newspaper they do not have an exact idea of the cost, but that it would be more than RD$50 million. He said the government would guarantee the financing for the units and that of the 600,000 motoconcho drivers registered by the Metropolitan Transport Authority, some 30,000 could benefit. He said the government is securing financing through Promipyme, a government branch that provides backing to small businesses, motorcycle importers and local commercial banks.