NewsWhore
04-18-2007, 03:20 PM
Just a few hours after transport czar and Metro project mastermind Diandino Pena announced a clampdown on all drivers charging more than the agreed-upon fare for a "publico" ride, the Syndicated and Business Transport Council (CONSETRAN) told the national media that they would accept the government's order that only allows minivans and buses to increase their fares. Juan Hubieres, one of Consetran's leaders, told reporters that all their affiliates, including Antonio Marte of Conatra, Ramon Perez Figuereo of CNTU and Alfredo Pulinario Linares of Mochotran had decided to follow the government guidelines. According to Perez Figuereo, meetings would continue during the week.
Diario Libre editor Adriano Miguel Tejada, writing in today's A.M. page two editorial, comments that the threat made by Pena was just "poppycock" since OPRET does not have the capacity to arrest and fine drivers who charge above the legal fare. Tejada points out that many parts of the city are served almost exclusively by these shared taxis known as "conchos or publicos", and any repressive measures against their drivers would result in worse chaos that the situation OPRET is trying to solve. Another thing is that many people prefer the little cars to the buses, which cannot be controlled if the passengers understand that it will cost them the same to ride a bus or a car. However, Tejada says that the worst part is the fact that the OPRET measure is unjust, and, because of that, it can never be effective. The editor points out that because of economies of scale, bus fares should logically be lower than "concho" fares, but OPRET has only authorized an increase in bus fares, which is a contradiction. Furthermore, both the government and OPRET know that the little cars exist because there is a shortage of available bus seats in Santo Domingo, and they know that the number of people trying to make a living driving "conchos" has grown because of increased unemployment and the trend towards multiple employment as the lower middle class tries to make ends meet. According to Tejada, OPRET director Diandino Pena is not about to put this political issue on the government agenda right now, and this is why it is all 'poppycock'.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
Diario Libre editor Adriano Miguel Tejada, writing in today's A.M. page two editorial, comments that the threat made by Pena was just "poppycock" since OPRET does not have the capacity to arrest and fine drivers who charge above the legal fare. Tejada points out that many parts of the city are served almost exclusively by these shared taxis known as "conchos or publicos", and any repressive measures against their drivers would result in worse chaos that the situation OPRET is trying to solve. Another thing is that many people prefer the little cars to the buses, which cannot be controlled if the passengers understand that it will cost them the same to ride a bus or a car. However, Tejada says that the worst part is the fact that the OPRET measure is unjust, and, because of that, it can never be effective. The editor points out that because of economies of scale, bus fares should logically be lower than "concho" fares, but OPRET has only authorized an increase in bus fares, which is a contradiction. Furthermore, both the government and OPRET know that the little cars exist because there is a shortage of available bus seats in Santo Domingo, and they know that the number of people trying to make a living driving "conchos" has grown because of increased unemployment and the trend towards multiple employment as the lower middle class tries to make ends meet. According to Tejada, OPRET director Diandino Pena is not about to put this political issue on the government agenda right now, and this is why it is all 'poppycock'.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)