Santo Domingo Metro - Page 5

Naufrago · #41 02-09-2005, 12:57 PM

Aside from the economic and social costs, the inability of the players to actually complete the project and the chaos of construction, would any other posters be interested in using this metro? I would. The proposed route passes a block from my apartment, in front of UASD, and with a Kennedy and a 27 Feb. line, would take me to just about 80% of the work locations I need to get to. My car is sitting in the lot again, waiting for the funds to bring it to the mechanic again, and the price of gas even if it was running, limits my travel. I've been taking the Gua-Gua and the Public car and still it takes forever with the traffic. If the metro works the way the optomists/planners are stating, it really would help me out. I know the middle class working Dominicans I ride with every morning would probably appreciate an option, they seem about as happy as I am when were sitting in traffic trying to get to work on time. Not debating whether it's the best option, just that I'm glad that the government is looking at the problem and I hope they do something sooner rather than later.

Dolores · #42 02-09-2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naufrago

If the metro works the way the optomists/planners are stating, it really would help me out....

Would be supportive of the metro myself if I felt it could be done for US$32 million the kilometer -- but like happened with the Pan Am Games (proposed for RD$500 million and ending up costing RD$8 billion), this is very unlikely.

Even Diandino at the start of his sales pitch talked about it costing US$50 million the kilometer, not US$32 million.

MerengueDutchie · #43 02-09-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naufrago

Aside from the economic and social costs, the inability of the players to actually complete the project and the chaos of construction, would any other posters be interested in using this metro? I would. The proposed route passes a block from my apartment, in front of UASD, and with a Kennedy and a 27 Feb. line, would take me to just about 80% of the work locations I need to get to. My car is sitting in the lot again, waiting for the funds to bring it to the mechanic again, and the price of gas even if it was running, limits my travel. I've been taking the Gua-Gua and the Public car and still it takes forever with the traffic. If the metro works the way the optomists/planners are stating, it really would help me out. I know the middle class working Dominicans I ride with every morning would probably appreciate an option, they seem about as happy as I am when were sitting in traffic trying to get to work on time. Not debating whether it's the best option, just that I'm glad that the government is looking at the problem and I hope they do something sooner rather than later.

I think you're talking about a big aside (cost and capacities).. but let's go with that for now.. if it would actually be built and maintained there is no question in my mind it would be an asset to the city..

But seriously, do you think that it can be build and maintained in a country that can't even run a public bus system and maintain its major roads in decent shape... that has always been my main concern.. the outright lying about the cost and capacities by the govt is so plain that the project imo cannnot be anything else but another money pit to scam off the top..

hugoke01 · #44 02-09-2005, 02:39 PM

In today's newspaper believe the "Diario Listin " there was an article about the metro ..and it clearly said that the FMI isn't in favour of constructing a metro ..seen the high cost bla..bla..bla ... so am not so sure they will start building one

Quote:

Originally Posted by MerengueDutchie

I think you're talking about a big aside (cost and capacities).. but let's go with that for now.. if it would actually be built and maintained there is no question in my mind it would be an asset to the city..

But seriously, do you think that it can be build and maintained in a country that can't even run a public bus system and maintain its major roads in decent shape... that has always been my main concern.. the outright lying about the cost and capacities by the govt is so plain that the project imo cannnot be anything else but another money pit to scam off the top..

Criss Colon · #45 02-09-2005, 02:50 PM

What do you call a Dominican Subway System?
A hole in the ground that you throw money into!

I want to 'rephrase" my Dominican Government Motto.

"I Never Met a Public Works Project I couldn't Support 200%!

Thats half for me,25 % for the "Party",and 25 % for the project!"
You can't finish the project on 25 % you say????
Second "Motto"!
"It's not about weather or not you finish the project or not,it's about collecting the "Comision"!

or, how about;

"If You Build It,We Will Come!" and take "OUR SHARE"!

How is it that a government that can't run a Bus Line,thinks it can run a subway system??

And don't ever forget what "Porfio" said,the transportation unions get what they want! 100 % of the time!! They just threaten "National Strike" and its over! Hard to believe it,but those "idiots",driving the "gua guas","Publicos",and "Conchos" rule!!!
Naaaaoooooow "Whos" the "IDIOT?"

Porfio_Rubirosa · #46 02-09-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porfio_Rubirosa

I've read that the IMF is okay with the metro idea because the Fernandez people were able to convince them that it would be a self-supporting infrastructure project - thus intellectually satisfying those Harvard MBAs. Beyond the surface, even the IMF must realize it's a joke. However, the IMF is always fine with boondoggles as long as the money is spent on private suppliers or "concessionaires" from the wealthy countries, including the US, Canada, Japan and Spain.

Oops. Spoke too soon. Apparently the IMF doesn't like the Metro project, YET, according to El Listin. The IMF says it's too big an investment and may impact the standby agreement.

Looks like the Fernandez administration has some work to do. They had better call Siemens, Bombardier, Bechtel, etc., fast! A few promised multi-zillion-dollar contracts in that direction and the IMF will be fine with it all. Besides, the IMF knows that there's no level of government fiscal irrespoinsibility that future generations of Dominican poor and middle class can't be forced to pay for through misery.

Dolores · #47 02-09-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porfio_Rubirosa

Oops. Spoke too soon. Apparently the IMF doesn't like the Metro project, YET, according to El Listin. The IMF says it's too big an investment and may impact the standby agreement.

Looks like the Fernandez administration has some work to do. They had better call Siemens, Bombardier, Bechtel, etc., fast! A few promised multi-zillion-dollar contracts in that direction and the IMF will be fine with it all. Besides, the IMF knows that there's no level of government fiscal irrespoinsibility that future generations of Dominican poor and middle class can't be forced to pay for through misery.

Actually, as reported in El Caribe, the IMF rep does not totally knock the deal. He takes for granted that the US$327 million figure is correct and says that if financing is carried out over a 10 year period, the payments will "be much less than 327 million" and thus, it could be applied that they would give the go ahead to this mega project, despite the implications it may end up being a Baninter for the Dominican economy. He does not question the bargain figure being used for the metro.

As experience shows, any smart contractor will bid low and then figure into the contract all sorts of loopholes to increase the cost of the project.

Chirimoya · #48 02-09-2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by today's DR1 News

'Politicians from the PRSC and the PRD parties called the proposal to invest RD$20 billion in the Metro an "insult", and while none of the legislators claim to be against modernization, they believe that a project of this dimension should not be undertaken before more pressing problems are solved. Luis Emilio Reyes from the PRSC party told reporters: "If we had solved the problems of the hospitals and the public schools, and if the people did not have so much trouble getting enough to eat, I would be totally in favor of the Metro."'

While I agree with these statements, don't you think it's an almighty chunk of bare-faced cheek coming from the guys who brought us the Columbus Lighthouse, the Pan American Games and other stupendous follies?

At least the Metro, were it to work, would serve some kind of lasting purpose.

Rochein · #49 02-09-2005, 06:27 PM

A copy cat???? Every industrialized city in the world has a metro!! and I do not think that they are trying to copy New York!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_DR

I don't know but leonel is a big copycat and he is not going to rest until he sees Santo Domingo mirror a cheap copy of New York.

They said that they are gonna start letting the public know about the project through the radio and and tv.

jhm · #50 02-10-2005, 12:23 AM

Whats US330 million dollars? Its chump change compared to what the Meya administration squandered. My concern is the time factor...will the project go into another administration? We know what happens from admistration to administration. Is the cost 330 million or three times that? I'm not impressed with a presentation made on a Texaco Map with a few lines drawn. Is the ridership there and is the 5-10 peso price realistic?

What are the alternatives to a Metro? A ring road or beltway to the North of Santo Domingo could make The Kennedy and 27th of Feb. gost roads. A comprensive mass transit study must be implemented, not by a bunch of politicians with a gas station map but off island professional.