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Santo Domingo.- After public transport drivers raised the fares as much as RD$5 on higher fuel fuels, the country’s biggest truckers’ union has decided to join the jumps and increased its freight fees as of today.

“Everyone who lives on transport must increase fees," said Fenatrado truckers’ union president Blas Peralta, who said the decision to increase was taken during a union meeting yesterday.

Peralta said Fenatrado’s 8,000 trucks nationwide charge RD$6,000 per trip to haul foods and other products, for which the rise would also boost the cost of family staples. "The Government or the Industry and Commerce Ministry cannot say that what the truckers are doing by increasing freight fees is an abuse because if there is a abuser it’s the Government itself which is increasing fuel prices."

On New Year’s Day the Government increased prices as much as RD$8.20 per gallon on some fuels.

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COMMENTS
13 comment(s)
Written by: Blutarsky This user is banned, 8 Jan 2010 9:33 AM
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
I can already smell the tear gas
Written by: xwill7, 8 Jan 2010 11:04 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
I can't wait for the SD/Santiago line to come in and hurt the driver's profits
Written by: juanb, 8 Jan 2010 11:21 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The government raises fuel prices to increase their incomes and then complains when workers want more money just to stay even.
Written by: RobertoJose, 8 Jan 2010 2:13 PM
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)

Willy,
I agree 100%. A transportation line is needed to ensure that the country doesn't come to a stand still because some UNION wants to fill their pokets.

What I don't understand is, How in the world would any Government let ONE company monopolize the TRUCKING industry.Thats 8000 strong. They haul vital resources and right about now those scumbaggz call the shots.
Written by: Blutarsky This user is banned, 8 Jan 2010 2:23 PM
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Bobby Jo you got that right .....they need a good @ss kickin
Written by: glomarexplorer, 8 Jan 2010 3:13 PM
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes

Cost of regualar fuel seems about $4/gal, which is very competitive with Western Europe.

Other than fuel taxes, DR has little control on fuel price. However, in country where populace expects many free services from the gov't, the money must come from somewhere. I really don't think these prices are unreasonable. Look, there are many here who delude themselves into thinkiing we are a 1st world country. We might not be, but we certainly have 1st world home prices and fuel cost, with mostly 3rd world income. Perhaps we should view htis [home & fuel prices] with badge of pride and continue to think we are 1st world.

MJEV.
Written by: xwill7, 8 Jan 2010 3:34 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
pop their tires if they don't move
Written by: BASTA, 8 Jan 2010 4:41 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
Strike! Revolt would be better.
Written by: ateo1992 This user is banned, 8 Jan 2010 6:49 PM
From: Dominican Republic
is time to kick this truckers butt by buildingthe SD-Santiago train route!!
Written by: Ricardolito, 8 Jan 2010 9:09 PM
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
xwill7 pop their tyres ,,that happens naturally they are all so bald and I agree about the train line between the two largest cities ..about time
Written by: The_Analyst, 8 Jan 2010 10:01 PM
From: United States, NY/NJ
It is understandable that they are raising the prices, trucks use diesel fuel which is expensive. our nation doesn't produce its own oil and doesnt have control over the oil prices as some people are lead to believe. The truckers are simply raising their prices to try and maintain whatever standard of living they currently have. I don't know if they are rich truckers or poor but the fact is that they made a reasonable choice. $8 pesos is nothing in dollars but in DR you are paid in pesos and it makes all the difference. Sounds like some of you need to learn how economics work. The government isn't the solution for everything as some of you seem to believe. They have their hand to play as do the businesses and people. but keep in mind we are a poot country and the fact taht the fuel prices are under $5 US a gallon in itself is pretty darn good considering most of the other countries pay nearly double in fuel prices due to cost and taxes on it.
Written by: abc200, 9 Jan 2010 6:04 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
The DR is very lucky to have transport in responsible hands. In the UK it was necessary to nationalize trucking due to evil capitalists lining their pockets. DR should proceed at all haste with railways and more fuel efficient trucking - road trains for example as they have in Australia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_train
When fully orgasnised each town could have its road train or rail terminal and all parcels / consignments over 20 lbs could have speedy delivery within the DR for a low fee and low GHG footprint.
S.
Written by: xwill7, 11 Jan 2010 11:36 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
abc,
has one of these animal truck drivers ever cut you off on the road and almost make you crash??? DR does not have transport in reponsible hands....
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