Santo Domingo transit: OMSA relaunches bus corridor amid mobility study

The Metropolitan Bus Service Operator (OMSA) has relaunched the La Nueva Barquita corridor in Santo Domingo Este, deploying six refurbished buses capable of carrying 90 passengers each. This move follows community complaints regarding a previous reduction in service from eight units to two. To encourage usage, OMSA is offering free service for the first 15 days, and senior citizens will now receive permanent free access. The corridor will operate daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a regular fare of RD$35.

Separately, a study by the National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant), supported by the French Development Agency and the European Union, reveals that Greater Santo Domingo records approximately 6.7 million daily trips. Collective transport accounts for 37.4% of these journeys, with the National District serving as the primary destination for 31.7% of movements. The study notes a shift in transit preferences, with public car usage declining while private mobility, motorcycles, and digital platforms have increased. Meanwhile, Metro de Santo Domingo usage grew by 10.9% following capacity expansions.