SANTO DOMINGO. - The Government and passenger and freight transport unions yesterday agreed on more than 20 compensation measures to reduce their operational costs, including a new subsidy on diesel and liquefied  petroleum gas (LPG) by freezing those fuels’ prices at RD$145 and RD$65 per gallon for six months, respectively.

According to the pact, both parts will share 50 percent increases of RD$1.00 to RD$10.00 which occur above diesel’s current price per gallon of RD$194.90, and RD$107.59 for LPG.  The Transport Land Office (OTTT) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (AMET) will handle the subsidy through registered and organized route operators.

In the 20 point agreement the unions pledged only not to raise fares or fees unilaterally, regardless of future fuel price increases.

The agreement was signed last night in the National Palace in the presence of president Leonel Fernandez, by the heads of 12 transport unions and 8 governmental officials.

The government, in addition, was committed to create a special RD$100 million fund to face  possible contingencies in the land transport service.