Dominican Republic public transport developments

The Dominican Republic’s public transport landscape involves both state-run initiatives and proposals for private sector reorganization.

The National Student Transport System (TRAE) currently operates daily routes to transport students to various educational centers. The system utilizes specific routes to collect students from multiple schools within the same sector, employing onboard assistants to manage student behavior, ensure seatbelt use, and assist with pedestrian safety during street crossings.

In contrast, the Central Nacional Movimiento Choferil del Transporte (Mochotran) has proposed a plan to the Executive Power to replace state-run transport with private concessions. Mochotran president Alfredo Pulinario Mariot suggested that 183 affiliated companies are prepared to operate new bus corridors. The proposal requests government-issued operating licenses, exclusive circulation lanes on high-traffic avenues, and access to financing for fleet acquisition.

Mochotran argues this private model is more cost-effective than mass electric transit systems, which they claim require continuous operational subsidies. The group maintains that private financing for fleet modernization would benefit the national budget, as loan repayments would return to the treasury. To ensure efficiency, the technical proposal includes dedicated lanes on high-traffic avenues to separate buses from general traffic, reduce travel times, and maintain regular service frequencies.