Bus routes wait for talks on toll increases

SD. The drivers of the transportation routes in the south and eastern regions of the country felt it might be prudent yesterday to wait for the results from an eventual series of talks between the government and the transportation syndicates. These talks come about as a result of the increases in the tolls ordered by the Ministry of Public Works.

"They are going to sit down and talk and we will see what we are going to do. But the fight will be held," said Pedro Rosario at the bus stop of the National Union of Transporters and Allied Trades (Unatrafin), located on Duarte Avenue and which has routes to different towns in the South.

In equal terms, the drivers of the bus stops of El Seibo, San Pedro de Macoris, Higüey, Hato Mayor and Boca Chica which are located in the commercial center of the capital in Villa Francisca.

"For the last six years we have had the same tolls (RD$70.00), in spite of the increases in the price of fuel. This (the increase in the tolls) is an abuse by government," said Manuel Felix at the bus stop of the Minibus Drivers of Boca Chic Association (Asochombca), an affiliate of the New Options National Transportation Federation (Fenatrano).

Other bus stops associated with the National Confederations of Transportation (Conatra) said that over the next few days they would meet with their representatives in order to take a decision.

"We will have a meeting soon to talk about this. We can't support more," said David Matos of the San Cristobal-Preventiva-Najayo route.

"Nonsense"

In the meantime, the president of Conatra and transportation businessman, Antonio Marte, said yesterday that the effect of the increase in tolls will be lethal for the inter-city routes and the passengers that have to travel around the country each day because it means that many persons will have to abandon their jobs in the city or in the southern region.

Marte accused the measure of increased tolls of being "nonsense" on the part of government: "There is no need because they charge two pesos per gallon for a fuel tax for highway and road repairs."

For this reason, he announced that "the day that the government puts the new tolls into effect, that same day the vehicles will not cross the tollbooths. They will hold back, if they surprise the drivers, the drivers are not going to cross because the drivers do not handle the money.'