Transport in the Dominican Republic

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Contents

[edit] Roadways

Main article: Highways and Routes in the Dominican Republic

There are five main highways (DR-1, DR-2, DR-3, DR-4, DR-5) they are in good condition in the Dominican Republic connecting its biggest cities and tourist centers. There are nearly 12,600 km (7,829 mi) of highways and roads, 6,224 being paved and 6,376 km (3,962 mi) (1996 est.) unpaved. Like any underdeveloped nation, the Dominican Republic suffers from lack of good paved roads to connect smaller towns and less populated areas, major town roads however are in good condition. Driving is on the right side as in the United States.

[edit] Public transport

[edit] Buses

The Dominican Republic has a bus system that is rather reliable, and most of these public transportation vehicles are fairly comfortable. The fare is generally inexpensive, and there are bus terminals and stops in most of the island's major cities.

[edit] Public Cars (Carros Públicos/ Carros de "conchar")

The Public Car (“Carros Públicos”) system are privately owned passenger cars that transit a specific route daily and passengers pay a certain fee with the convenience of stopping anywhere. This comprises one of the main ways of transportation inside the capital city of Santo Domingo, as well as other major cities. This system though is not very reliable and lacks discipline, the high number of public cars that transit the roads, and the fact that they do not lend itself to regulation or central control, which causes frequent transit problems among city roads. They may also be somewhat uncomfortable, since they try to fit as much people as possible inside them (EG:9 people in an old 5 passenger car)

[edit] Mass Transit

The Santo Domingo Metro in the Capital of the Nation [1] [2] and the Santiago Light Rail in the City of Santiago de los Caballeros are the first two systems to be approved in the Nation with one being ready by early 2008 and the Light Rail to start construction by mid 2008.

[edit] Railways

Rail operations are provided by one state owned operator and several private operators (mainly for sugar mills):

Central Romana Railroad was established in 1911 in the sugarcane fields. The total length of the line is 757 km (470 mi), 375 km (233 mi) being the standard 1.435-m gauge.

The Dominican Republic Government Railway is a 142 km (88 mi) 0.762-m narrow gauge.

There are 240 km (149 mi) operated by other sugarcane companies in various gauges: 0.558-m, 0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges (1995)

[edit] Ports and harbours

Major ports and harbours in the Dominican Republic:

A local ferry service runs daily between the Samaná and Sabana del Mar ports.

[edit] Merchant marine:

  • Total:
    • 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 metric tons of deadweight (DWT)
  • Ships by type:
    • cargo 1 (1999 est.)

[edit] Entering the Ports

Boaters and sailors who with to dock in any of DR's ports must follow certain entry requirements:

  • Upon approaching the port, ships must display a quarantine flag, which has the letter 'Q' on it, and wait for admittance into the port.
  • The passengers of the vessel must pay a fee, get a tourist card, and show proper identification including a valid passport.
  • Military officials must sometimes grant the passengers clearance to come ashore.

[edit] Airports

Boeing 737-800 at Cibao International Airport in Santiago, DR
Boeing 737-800 at Cibao International Airport in Santiago, DR
See also: List of airports in the Dominican Republic

There are 5 major and 27 minor airports in the DR (1999):

[edit] Airports - with paved runways:

  • Total: 10 (1999 est.)
    • Over 3,047 m: 3
    • 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
    • 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
    • 914 to 1,523 m: 3
    • under 914 m: 2

[edit] Airports - with unpaved runways:

  • Total: 15 (1999 est.)
    • 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
    • 914 to 1,523 m: 4
    • under 914 m: 9

[edit] National Airline

  • Dominicana de Aviacion used to be the country's national airline for a large period of time. Due to economic crisis, however, this title has been passed on to various other companies after Dominicana stopped flying. Currently, the national flag carrier is Caribair.
  • The new Flag Carrier for the DR is Air Dominicana, created in May, 2006 by the government, some Dominican investors and the airline Air Europa from Spain.

[edit] Flights

There are direct flights to and from Dominican Republic From United States, Cuba, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the Caribbean.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dominican Republic - Railpage Australia™ Forums (Central and South America)
  2. ^ Standard gauge 1.5 kV DC
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