Santo Domingo Metro troubles

posted on: Oct 18 2009 10:9 by The Reporter. Viewed 676 times.


The Metro, the Dominican Republic's first subway line in Santo Domingo has broken down several times since its January debut, and a transportation official said Wednesday that riders should get used to such problems.

Breakdowns could occur several times a day, but they are not a danger to people, Transit Office deputy director Leonel Carrasco told reporters.

Dozens of passengers were trapped for almost half an hour last Wednesday because the train overheated, he said. Local media reported that one woman fainted as the train car grew stuffy.
President Leonel Fernandez was criticized for spending more than $710 million to build the subway line even as a quarter of the population lives in poverty.

It is the third time the train malfunctions since its debut in January. It serves 16 stations in its 9-mile (14-kilometer), north-to-south run through the capital of Santo Domingo.

Fernandez is still seeking developers to build an additional subway line, as well as an 80-mile (130-kilometer) train line that would connect the cities of Santiago and Haina.

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