SantoDomingo.-The National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) reported that, after a meeting led by its executive director, Milton Morrison, with the president of the National Central of Transport Workers (CNTT), Juan Marte, it was agreed to form a dialogue table to review the operational conditions of the sector. Therefore, the increase in fares announced by that union for routes to Santiago remains ineffective.

During the meeting, both parties agreed that any review of the tariff regime must be carried out within the framework of Law No. 63-17 of Mobility, Land Transportation, Transit and Road Safety, which establishes that Intrant is the only body empowered to authorize modifications to public passenger transportation fares.

Milton Morrison valued the willingness to dialogue shown by the CNTT and reiterated that the Government's interest is to continue building solutions that guarantee the sustainability of the sector, without affecting citizens' pockets.

"We have agreed to set up a work table to technically review the cost structure of passenger transportation. Until this work is completed, there will be no increase in fares. Our commitment is to guarantee that any decision is based on technical studies, dialogue and strict compliance with the law," Morrison said.

For his part, Juan Marte thanked the executive director of Intrant for his willingness to receive the leadership of the CNTT and listen to its proposals. He also reported that, as a result of the meeting, the union committed to leaving the increase in the announced fare ineffective and not to apply any increase while the work of the table is being carried out. dialogue, where operational costs and service conditions will be technically evaluated.

Morrison explained that the working group will carry out a survey of the routes where increases were reported, analyze the cost structure of passenger transportation and review the different factors that affect the provision of the service, before considering any possible fare adjustment.

The executive director of Intrantre recalled that the Dominican Government maintains various support mechanisms to mitigate the impact of transportation operating costs, including fuel subsidies and the Bono GasChofer program.

In this sense, he highlighted that last year more than 2,300 Gas Bonus cards were delivered to transporters from different unions, including an important part of those affiliated with the CNTT, as part of the actions to contribute to the stability of the service.

Likewise, he reported that approximately fifteen days ago, Intrant ordered the sending of supervisors to verify the cases of transporters who had not yet received the benefit of the Gas Bonus, with the purpose of managing the corresponding solutions and guaranteeing that those who meet the requirements can access this support.

Morrison highlighted that more than 95% of the country's public transport organizations did not support any increase in fares, which demonstrates the majority will of the sector to privilege dialogue and consultation over unilateral decisions.

The Intrant reiterated its commitment to keep the channels of dialogue open with all transport actors and recalled that any modification in the fare will be the result of technical studies and compliance with the provisions of Law No. 63-17, always for the benefit of users and an efficient and sustainable transportation system.