International

As panama waits, D.R. opens mass transit system

While Panama is in the midst of trying to solve its public transportation crisis, the Domincan Republic is on the verge of opening a brand new urban train that will carry thousands of commuters daily.

The country's president, Leonel Fernández, recently opened the train, which is the second urban mass transit system in the region. The other is in Puerto Rico.

René Santana, a representative at the country's embassy in Panama, said the system was opened on Feb. 27, which is independence day in that country.

Santana said that the DR was facing many of the same problems as Panama, namely crowded streets and a bus system that was unable to keep up with demand.

The system consists of 16 stations along 15 miles, but can be expanded in the future. It cost $735 million.