Santo Domingo Metro

[jrzyguy]

I think a public rail would be ideal....but why go to the expense of going underground (except perhaps in the capital). But i would certainly agree that for now the focus should be the immediate problems at hand. I am hardly an expert on the subject of dominican politics and policies...but i really have been reading up and finding out as much as i possible can. However...what good would a subway be if there is no electricity? Sounds like a no brainer to me. Work on the current problems....then say if things stabelize in a year or so...and economy actualy picks up...THEN seriously consider such a huge project. Yes it means spending money...but it will also generate jobs.

Just my two pesos.....hope i didnt butt in too much

jj

[Robert]

The only Metro without a time schedule, next train... eventually

My guess is this will be another train line like the one the Indians and jailed guy from Puerto Rico was going to build.

These people need to get their heads out of the clouds and work on the little things, like putting gas in an OMSA bus or condemning concho's held together with coat hangers and duct tape.

[Escott]

This board is so critical of what the Dominicans can actually get done. No wonder nothing ever happens. Hehe

[NALs]

This metro deal is a good thing!

As stated before, the masses will benefit well from it and our roads will ease up a bit from all this congestion, especially during the dreadful rush hours!

As with everything, this metro won't last for too long in the hands of the government. Remember, the new world order suggest that government sell every asset to the private sector. The DR government sold all their airports and look how fabulous they have turned out to be. Metro Bus and Caribe Tours are much better than those beat up pre-owned school buses that used to ply the roads before. So, why think it will become a white elephant? This will benefit Dominicans and tourists, so why not!

They should install an express monorail that links the center of the Capital with Las Americas Airport, that would also be a big help!

The samething should be done in Puerto Plata. A monorail connecting Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete. That would be convenient for the tourists, the Dominican workers, the expats who refuse to buy a car, and everything else on the north coast!

But, right now the most critical place in the DR for such a project is SDQ, we need it so bad!

And about the electricity deal, these metro trains would probably have their own planta generating electricity somewhere just for them. In addition to that, each train car could have some solar panels installed on the roof of the cars to create even more energy for the system.

[leromero]

Originally Posted by ERICKXSON

Sometimes i wonder what the hell goes on in some of the board readers and contribuitors...... YES WHAT THE HEll?

1. a subway is a great idea less people destroying the enviroment

2. 24/7 light for the country or atleast the SUBWAY and thus less gas comsuption for the masses since less people will be using cars

3. less freaking traficccccccccccccccccccccc!

4. no more (CONCHOS) in the near future

5. and so on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! look at the positive side of things.

Now why you think Dominicans can't pull that project off? what makes Dominican less than your kind (PLEASE DON'T RIDE THE SUBWAY).

Comments like this one are obviously from someone that does not know the dominican psyche (sp) to well. I don't pretend to know it either, but when have you seen a project proposed "for the good of the people" without it being hijacked by the corrupt officials meant to oversee the project. The amount of money involved in this is way to much for someone not to look for their cut. This project wont happen.

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

Originally Posted by Lambada

From what I read the other day, they have yet to launch a feasibility study (although in the back of my mind I recall this being discussed a while back). It would also seem that they will be careful not to upset the Transport Unions, clarifying that in no way is the Metro meant to replace publicos & gua-guas[/url]

This is where I think the plan may fail.

My seis cheles:

First, after watching Leonel complete substantial infrastructure projects (by any country's standards) during his first term, I think he could get a Metro done - though I doubt he could start the project for at least two years given the state of the economy.

Second, that people will "get their cut" hardly matters. They "get their cut" in Boston, Milan, Seul and Mexico City now. Still, giant infrastructure projects get built. It's really not about whether there is corruption, but, rather, whether the corruption is predictable and managable.

Third, a dedicated power plant and separate governing authority with the power to enter into its own fuel import contracts could resolve the power issue -- "could" being the operative term.

Fourth, as Erickxson pointed out, the benefits of the project would be massive.

Fifth, all of the above would be for naught unless the government can keep the guaguas and publicos off of 27th of February. How could any modern transit system compete in price with a 1984 Toyota Tercell seating 8 people that hasn't been inspected ever, has no suspension, has a rusted-out floorboard, and spews more black soot than the entire city of Pittsburgh?

Finally, Pib, Criss sent me an email asking that I not use the term "kneejerk", which I notice you did in your post. He also derided its use in the debate forum. He says it's very '60s and, apparently, he has trouble sleeping at night when people use it.

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Porfio_Rubirosa

This is where I think the plan may fail.

My seis cheles:

First, after watching Leonel complete substantial infrastructure projects (by any country's standards) during his first term, I think he could get a Metro done - though I doubt he could start the project for at least two years given the state of the economy.

Second, that people will "get their cut" hardly matters. They "get their cut" in Boston, Milan, Seul and Mexico City now. Still, giant infrastructure projects get built. It's really not about whether there is corruption, but, rather, whether the corruption is predictable and managable.

Third, a dedicated power plant and separate governing authority with the power to enter into its own fuel import contracts could resolve the power issue -- "could" being the operative term.

Fourth, as Erickxson pointed out, the benefits of the project would be massive.

Fifth, all of the above would be for naught unless the government can keep the guaguas and publicos off of 27th of February. How could any modern transit system compete in price with a 1984 Toyota Tercell seating 8 people that hasn't been inspected ever, has no suspension, has a rusted-out floorboard, and spews more black soot than the entire city of Pittsburgh?

Finally, Pib, Criss sent me an email asking that I not use the term "kneejerk", which I notice you did in your post. He also derided its use in the debate forum. He says it's very '60s and, apparently, he has trouble sleeping at night when people use it.

Good post Porfi, however, why did you only rated your post as "seis cheles". I mean, that is so cheap! Un peso would have been much much better.



Generally, what you said is what I believe confronts this and any other project started by Leonel or any other government afterwards, give or take a few considerations to fit the country of that particular time.

I am just wondering (and this is for everybody, not just Porfi). When most Dominicans say "vamos en el Metro" they are talking about Metro Bus. I just wonder what would be the popular name for the real metro once it becomes a reality.

Will they call it "el tren" or "el metro nuevo" or "la guagua nueva"?
Will the masses invent a new nickname that we never saw coming? Example would be "el gusano" or "la culebra" or something weird. This would be interesting none the less.

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

Originally Posted by TEHAMA

Financing from Brazil?? If I recall Curitba, Brazil has a most unique Public Transit System where stretch buses act like trains through a dedicated right-of-way. They called it a BUS RAPID TRANSIT, I think. San Fran, Atlanta and Las Vegas were all hot on this idea at one time. Maybe even Chicago and Portland. This type service is most inexpensive and very possible.

Here's a link. I can almost picture something like this on the old 27th of February below the elevated highway. http://www.itdp.org/news/BRT_English.html

[quejeyoke]

this metro would be a good idea and might even encourage some people to leave their cars at home. That being said, the country is already dug itself 6 feet deep and borrowing the billons necesary for this project the would not be a wise idea and we all know it, no matter how pretty the people that will get rich with this project paint it. If it gets built, I'm the first one to be intimidated by the overhead system until it proves that no DR earthquake can touch it, then I'll roll my dice if I ever have to travel that route. Since the metro will have a linear route, only so many commuters will be able to benefit from it. And what's next?, borrow another gazellion dollars to have a route going north and south?...how about a route to the airport?..zona colonial anyone??..maybe somebody have to tell the president to start mapping land to give up as payment, just like Hippo did recently. I think all these crook politicians finally found a legitimate way to get rich no matter what party runs the country and wait until the perroD comes back up and gets its hands on it, big houses in brickell key, here we come!... About the name, we'll have to wait and see what the metro gets as it will be another "made in DR" nickname.

just my 2 shillings which are more than 6 cheles.

[ERICKXSON]

Originally Posted by leromero

Comments like this one are obviously from someone that does not know the dominican psyche (sp) to well. I don't pretend to know it either, but when have you seen a project proposed "for the good of the people" without it being hijacked by the corrupt officials meant to oversee the project. The amount of money involved in this is way to much for someone not to look for their cut. This project wont happen.

My man stick to the subject! if you know the Dominican Psyche so well why arent you living here? you can manage? i gess not.
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there are many ways to get rid of those conchos and the freaking stupid oversized with an idiot for a driver guaguas OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you dont know how much i hate those ANIMALS on 27th AVENUE i hate them with all my heart>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

1. All passenger cars must pass an enviroment smoke inspection
2. All passenger cars must pass a security test
3. All passenger cars must have seatbealts

with that i'm pretty sure that 99.9% of CONCHOS will disappear