SANTO DOMINGO.-The constant jumps in oil prices, which yesterday topped 134 dollars per barrel, as well as their impact on fuels locally, forces transporters to operate their units with personal subsidies in many cases via bank loans, causing millions in debts.
Transport union leaders Ramon Perez Figuereo, of the CNTU and Juan Hubieres, of Fenatrano, yesterday said they have convened a gathering to analyze the situation.
Since January fuels have risen from RD$171.20 and RD$159.70 per gallon for premium and regular gasolines respectively, to RD$188.00 and RD$176.10 this week. Diesel’s price jumped from RD$139.50 to RD$156.40 in that same period.
Those prices were frozen for the past the three weeks and could top RD$200 per gallon if the new rises which compensate the increases in the cost of crude oil are applied. Fuel prices have had a tendency to rise since the beginning of March, posting increases of as high as 4 pesos per week.
According to Hubieres and Perez Figuereo, this situation keeps drivers in critical conditions and with losses of 25 percent in their operations. They said the Government’s subsidy isn’t enough because it represents barely 20 percent of their consumption.
"What we are doing is accumulating losses, passing it from one owner to another who come with illusions, but soon realize the real situation," said Hubieres, affirming that his union has more than 180 buses paralyzed for lack of money for maintenance.
Perez Figuereo said the constant loans have led drivers to accumulate more than 50 million pesos in debts, of which 15 million have gone just to buy tires for their trucks.
As a medium term measure, the CNTU is buying around 1,000 vehicles which use natural gas, which could be in service in about two months.
Perez Figuereo insists that the Government should keep fuel prices frozen and review the Hydrocarbons Law, with cost variations applied monthly.
From: United States
I find it interesting that many people and companies are not searching for answers themselves. I get calls and emails from those searching on Google or MSN. They find us and ask how we can help. There are solutions to fuel consumption problems and we have 1,000's of Trucks, buses and cars to prove it. With Friction & Heat causing 50% of the energy loss world wide (a US DOE study), people who search will find our solutions and a 10 to 25% drop in fuel being wasted is possible. I am not allowed to put my web info on this posting but know I have been to the DR many times, my product was tested at the only Dyno in Santo Domingo and we picked up more HP. We also cut emissions by 50% and we are certified for you to create your own carbon credits.
I am looking forward to setting up business in the DR. I am actively pursuing strategic partners and distribution as well as marketing, but until then, companies, governments and private individuals who are proactive can find solutions.
From: Canada, Alberta
if we could just get everyone in the world not to drive their vehicles for just 1 day there would be such a surplus of fuel from just 1 day that the price would fall like crazy. i know this is impossible to get done but it is 1 solution
From: United States
evergreenamerica, i have posted on this subject numerous times; one of the main culprits in the petroleum debacle here is the failure to conserve, compounded by the poor utilisation modalities. i said as far back as october of last year that oil would hit 140.00 per barrel by august of this year, and people thought i was talking nonsense. maybe 140.00 is optimistic, if the current trends continue. yet we still have 8 cylinder gas guzzlers coming in through the ports, and no inspection protocols to ensure maximum burn on the fuel ingested. we are our own worst enemy.
From: Dominican Republic
Here's an idea...instead of starting and stopping every 125 feet like they do now to pick up or let off a passenger...make designated bus stops. That alone will lower their costs and make all of us other drivers alot happier to!
From: United States
PuntaCana Mike; i am in agreement that driving in fits and starts burns needless amounts of fuel, and designated bus stops are a good idea. the problem with good ideas in this part of the world is that they remain just that; good ideas. remember the helmet laws? how long did that last? there are all kinds of good laws on the books; people just are too indisciplined to obey them, and enforcement is lax.
From: United States
People may change some of there habits and conserving is a step we take when we feel pain. Oil and refined fuel is at a point where pain ( price) is causing change. What we do is proactive. We at evergreenamerica are taking a 1 car , 1 truck, and 1 bus. For example, when we show a bus company in 1bus,which costs them about $120.00 US,that they can save 10 - 20% in fuel and their vehicles have a longer life, they then purchase for there 800 buses.
We are saving fuel 1 gallon at a time. We believe our grass root approach is best. When you have a solution like we have that sounds to good to be true, it is an uphill battle. We used Radio Personalities in the NYC market who used our product and got results to TELL their audience to buy since many consumers are followers. They use our product and a few years later we have thousands using it including fleets of trucks and buses.
So I agree, conservation and behavior changes are slow, people wish they had a pill to solve all problem
From: United States
do you have a website, Evergreen? i would like to look at your offerings, if you make public disclosures.
From: United States
i am not supposed to sell here and I like the being able to post comments so I have to be careful. We are passionate about working in the DR in the future. My address is my screen name plus .com.
We have all sorts of information posted, for example a Prius using our product is getting 70.1MPG. Our site is designed to be able to explain our technology and products to Oil Rigs in the North Sea,who are our customers, to the basic consumer. Again, I am posting these comments for the discussion on what the DR could do to to be less dependent on the vultures that strip a country and send it to the poor house.
We love the DR and its people. We want to help by addressing these problems from our personal experience. I have treated all our personal vehicles as well as Excavators, Rock Crushers, Etc. in another business I sold.
We treat Gen Sets and cut fuel use up to 40%, lower heat and keep them running 24/7 in Dubai.
The Electrical problems in the DR is another area on our list.
Written by: Jander, 23 May 2008 1:48 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Evergreen , this ain't Dubai! great sales pitch, but have you ever seen the typical bus "guagua" here they are lucky to be running. This is nation of gas guzzlers and improperly maintained vehicles.
The stop and go traffic here is one of the worst in the world.
From: United States
Yes, I have been on the buses, taxis and mopeds. Been to cock fights, seen it all. I have also been around the industrial sectors. All countries I have been in seem to have the same problem, a poor, middle and upper class in both consumers and the businesses.
I have owned junks that left a trail of smoke 200 ft long. It takes all types and sometimes the poorest or worst off see the best results because a gallon of gas to the moped driver is a tank to me.
From: Dominican Republic
What we really need here is a AMET that does not just go after the foriegners who know little and end upaying "out the window". Yesterday on the way back from Boca Chica...AMET was everywhere....for no reason at all non stop. Helmetless concho drivers were never pulled over...overloaded buses and trucks never pulled over...just "gringos and gringas...is this because the only real motive is income??? Lets make a transportation system that is controlled...not abused for financial gain.
Written by: sangwong 
, 23 May 2008 7:46 PM
From: United States
Gimme some of that energy saving stuff Evergreen .. I'll put it in my Cerveza to see if it improves on the taste .. put some on my head to see if it will stop me from going bald .. might even spray some on my tomatoes to improve their taste .. yummy ..
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
It just seems to me that the problem being experienced by the transporters andbus drivers/owners could/would be solved by an increase in the fares charged. Even the Airlines have a "Fuel Surcharge" so why not the Ground Transportation people doing the same thing?
This is a real problem but I think theTransport Unions are using this to demand more subsidies from the government. Dominicans need to begin to solve their own transportation problems of how to get to work. If they need to pay more, then so be it, They won't go broke by paying a couple of pesos more for riding in a bus or guagua as opposed to riding a bicycle.
They are whining their heads off over a solution that is plain as the nose on their faces.
TB
From: United States
true, Texas Bill.. maybe an increase in carrito fares will force more people to ride the metro.
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I am looking forward to setting up business in the DR. I am actively pursuing strategic partners and distribution as well as marketing, but until then, companies, governments and private individuals who are proactive can find solutions.
We are saving fuel 1 gallon at a time. We believe our grass root approach is best. When you have a solution like we have that sounds to good to be true, it is an uphill battle. We used Radio Personalities in the NYC market who used our product and got results to TELL their audience to buy since many consumers are followers. They use our product and a few years later we have thousands using it including fleets of trucks and buses.
So I agree, conservation and behavior changes are slow, people wish they had a pill to solve all problem
We have all sorts of information posted, for example a Prius using our product is getting 70.1MPG. Our site is designed to be able to explain our technology and products to Oil Rigs in the North Sea,who are our customers, to the basic consumer. Again, I am posting these comments for the discussion on what the DR could do to to be less dependent on the vultures that strip a country and send it to the poor house.
We love the DR and its people. We want to help by addressing these problems from our personal experience. I have treated all our personal vehicles as well as Excavators, Rock Crushers, Etc. in another business I sold.
We treat Gen Sets and cut fuel use up to 40%, lower heat and keep them running 24/7 in Dubai.
The Electrical problems in the DR is another area on our list.
The stop and go traffic here is one of the worst in the world.
I have owned junks that left a trail of smoke 200 ft long. It takes all types and sometimes the poorest or worst off see the best results because a gallon of gas to the moped driver is a tank to me.
This is a real problem but I think theTransport Unions are using this to demand more subsidies from the government. Dominicans need to begin to solve their own transportation problems of how to get to work. If they need to pay more, then so be it, They won't go broke by paying a couple of pesos more for riding in a bus or guagua as opposed to riding a bicycle.
They are whining their heads off over a solution that is plain as the nose on their faces.
TB