Before all the doubters begin their chorus of negativity, these accidents are to be expected. Let's see how they handle the problem.

Metro derailment ? How about a education, economic DERAILMENT on a waste of money ?

The twisted logic being rider-ship will cover the cost.

LOL until it hurts......are FREE metro rides for students part of this new metro deal ?

Wow!

What happened to the pre-plans that did not exist? Just wait, more to come. Lie-onellie you’re a joke.

Atabey derailments are NOT to be expected. You taking over cheerleading duties for Richardito?

I love how the article hypes up the incident with words like "pure pandemonium" and "chaos".

Tony, I bet it was almost as bad as the traffic jams in front of the cabanas on San Isidro on Dia de la Secretaria. LOL. It would be very intresting to learn the cause of two cars derailing simultanously. Would this not be a highly unusual incident ?

Now we have to wait for a foreign railway engineer to arrive with his crew . I can't see leonel factor this in on his bid to build the damn thing, he is almost out the door, this could have never possibly happen with in his preparation of departure.....who could have known?

Atebey, wherever did you get it from that derailments ¨are to be expected¨?

Atabey, I am, with the rest. It should not happen on such a minuscule system.

NYC has some but.

In 2010, average daily subway ridership was 5.2 million
Number of subway cars: Roughly 6,356.
Number of weekday train trips: 7,769.
Subway car mileage: The fleet traveled 347.1 million miles in 2010.

And if they find out that it was do to poor workmanship, whoever did this should go to jail. Just like they do in the US.

Safer than concho or fast buses??? I still rather drive a vehicle into SD and sit in traffic. No stinky person sits next to me, I can listen to some tipico, have a drink and food of choice in the cool AC, and I can lock my doors and windows.

Already!

lovingit says...already! soon he will be daying...again!

Preventive maintenance starts when any system is taken into service from start off !!!!!
I know metrosystems and before start of service at any given time of day inspection (also rail system) is done before any metrotrain starts is service.
We alraedy know, we ride it till it breaks down and than start thinking how we to get it fixed.

Written by: Escott, 3 Oct 2011 12:02 PM

Atabey derailments are NOT to be expected. You taking over cheerleading duties for Richardito?


No cheer-leading, but yes to REALITY. Show me one Metro system in the world that has not had a derailment?

"BBC NEWS Derailment

12 Jul 2006 ... Hundreds are evacuated after a train derails on Chicago's metro system, and about 120 people suffer minor injuries."

Derailments
The crushed end of a subway car.
Green Line train following the January 7, 2007 derailment

On January 13, 1982, a train derailed at a malfunctioning crossover switch south of the Federal Triangle station. In attempting to restore the train to the rails, supervisors failed to notice that another car had also derailed. The other rail car slid off the track and hit a tunnel support, killing three people and injuring 25. Coincidentally, this accident occurred about 30 minutes after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the nearby 14th Street Bridge

during a major snowstorm.[10] Wikipedia."

Written by: dreadlocks, 3 Oct 2011 1:09 PM
From: United States

Atabey, wherever did you get it from that derailments ¨are to be expected¨?

Show me a perfect system? None can be designed and certainly not built Dready-even if you lavish all the money in the world on its design and construction! All systems have some possibilities of breakdowns:

"gmiller261, 3 Oct 2011 1:55 PM
From: United States

Atabey, I am, with the rest. It should not happen on such a minuscule system."

And the system doesn't have to be complex for errors to occur. Errors happen and are expected. Certainly Catastrophic cases are less likely, but derailments are within the norm for these systems. Let's await the assessment on why the train derailed before we get too worked up about this. China had a "little problem" recently as I recall.

This deals with High speed rail systems, but you get the idea-hopefully!

Minimize the possibilities-No one can eliminate them!



On Derailment-Worthiness in Rail Vehicle Design : Analysis of vehicle features influencing derailment processes and consequences

University dissertation from Stockholm :

Author: Dan Brabie; Kth.; [2007]

http://www.dissertations.se/dissertation/171520dc2f/


Abstract: This thesis aims at systematically studying the possibilities of minimizing devastating consequences of high-speed rail vehicle derailments by appropriate measures and features in the train design including the running gear.Firstly, an empirical database is established containing as much relevant information as possible of past incidents and accidents that have occurred at substantial running speeds due to mechanical failure close to the interface between the running gear and the track. Other causes that ultimately brought the train in a derailed condition are also covere

The Washington, DC. metro system has had its share of "slip-ups". In the last two years, in separate incidents, three rail workers have been run over and killed, several derailments have occurred and in may of 2010 seven people were killed and many injured when one train slammed into another from behind, causing the line to be shut down 24 hours.

Murphy's law says: "if it can happen, it will". This incident may be the first with the SD metro, but it won't be the last. Nevertheless, I would much rather take my chances with the metro than with conchos or mini buses, I stand a much better chance of survival.

Atabey, nobody is saying that a derailment cannot occur. rain is to be expected in London, but not in the middle of the Sahara. however, it does rain in the desert, too. what is at issue here is the fact that the system has been operating a scant few years, and this kind of occurrence is already showing its face. i have been an opponent of this system since day one,and suggested that the speed with which it was hurried through to completion, for political grandstanding purposes, left questionsabout how well it was put together. in a place like the USA, where there are liability laws that actually function, the operating authorities take pains to ensure the safe operating of the system. if a train derails in Washington, DC, and people get maimed or injured, LAWYERS take over. in the DR, nobody cares, because who are you going to sue?file the papers, and you and your attorney can expect a late night visit from Generalissimo Pepe, telling you to cease and desist, or else.

Can this be true?

Dominican government spends more on security for the Metro system than to protect de Dominican-Haitian border.

Gobierno gasta más en cuidar el Metro que en proteger la frontera con Haití

SANTO DOMINGO, República Dominicana.- El gobierno del presidente Leonel Fernández destina más dinero a la seguridad del Metro de Santo Domingo que a la vigilancia y control de las fronteras terrestre, marítima y aérea de la República Dominicana.

Por falta de recursos, más de la mitad de la frontera terrestre con Haití queda sin la debida protección.

http://www.acento.com.do/index.ph....oteger-la-frontera-con-Haiti.html

I can't believe all the crap I'm reading here. This system has been in operation for 3 years, with zero fatalities and virtually crime free in a 3rd world country, now that's a huge accomplishment, this was a minor accident because the "switch track" malfunctioned, it caused pandemonium and put in evidence that Dominicans in the capital need the Metro, the situation was controlled and the operation resumed in reasonable time. The MSD is transporting more than 30 million riders a year without the feeding bus lines or the 2nd Metro line which will begin operating next year and will certainly at least double the number of users when completed, to the tune of 200,000 passengers daily.

In the not too distant future and after all 6 lines are completed (if PLD remains or if defeated regains power), people will look back and ask themselves how could the largest metropolis in the Caribbean and Central America managed without a massive transportation system for so long.

Well said tomito

DERAILMENT is to be expected?? Are you nuts?
Was there anyone at the wheel? A govt botella?
More botellas working on the tracks that wandered off for a beer at 8 a.m.?
You can import the tracks, the controls, the cars, etc., etc., but you better get some Frenchmen here ASAP to manage the damn thing.

@tomito,

"Mejor de ahí se daña"...well said!

tornito,
Many of those riders are tourists and people that want to check out the ride for the first time. Where did you get those numbers?

@xwill7
Check out this link....

http://www.cig.gob.do/app2/article.aspx?id=24043

some say the money should have gone for education. i say why?

this way we have a metro with stupid people riding on it

its all good in the dr. as in the airport at.sdq they robbed the fence, one day in the near future we will make up and find the metro was stolen in the night.

and all will be well then.

@danny00,
Stolen metal is not unique to Dominican Rep. This happens everywhere, even US and UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7586300.stm

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/....e-arrested-over-stolen-metal.html

from: dominican republic
@danny00,
stolen metal is not unique to dominican rep. this happens everywhere, even us and uk


yes it does, but the dr is not the united states or the uk.
why dont we worry what they are stealing in the dr not the states?
the fence at the aiport in sdq? please. spare me guy
in these other countries most get caught and pay a big price for their crime in the dr they pay???.... when u have a police dept and army that bring their own crime wave to the people of the dr.
please guy stop sleep-walking and wake up.
the states have over 300 million people and is one hugh country from coast to coast the dr is is one small dot in a hugh ocean. please guy stay on track.

base medals such as copper are under a lot of pressure now as the worlds economys slow down. the price of copper was at $3.00us yesterday
as the worlds economy slows down some are falling apart as we speak as greece. all of europe is in trouble well at least the countries in southern europe., the euro is in big trouble and the united states is joined at the hip with europe.
australian dollar hits a new low yesterday, american airlines stock as fallen 75% and was at $2.00 a share yesterday. {looking at bankruptcy}
the world in trouble my friend more to life then only the dr.

Written by: tomito, 4 Oct 2011 12:09 AM

From: United States

I can't believe all the crap I'm reading here. This system has been in operation for 3 years, with zero fatalities and virtually crime free in a 3rd world country, now that's a huge accomplishment, this was a minor accident because the "switch track" malfunctioned, it caused pandemonium and put in evidence that Dominicans in the capital need the Metro, the situation was controlled and the operation resumed in reasonable time."

100% in agreement.

And Dread when I say these derailments are expected, I'm just stating common sense and real probabilities. And it doesn't matter that the system is relatively new! You cannot design nor build a perfect system!

The Metro is one of the necessary massive infrastructural constructions needed in SD. By 2020's SD will have at least another million or so inhabitants and the need for a Mass Transit system will more than justify the current nonsense from the nay-stayers.

I can't believe all the crap I'm reading here. This system has been in operation for 3 years, with zero fatalities and virtually crime free in a 3rd world country, now that's a huge accomplishment, this was a

GOOD COMMENT AND I HAVE TO SAY YES TO THIS.
LEAST ONE GUY CAN THINK ON THIS SITE.

even i guy like me gives credit when credit is due.

I can't believe all the crap I'm reading here. This system has been in operation for 3 years, with zero fatalities and virtually crime free in a 3rd world country, now that's a huge accomplishment, this was a

GOOD COMMENT AND I HAVE TO SAY YES TO THIS.
LEAST ONE GUY CAN THINK ON THIS SITE.

Uuuuuuuhhhh, that's b/c nobody uses it! The poor, the majority of the people, can't afford to use it and the rich don't need to use it.... they drive there cars....

@danny00,
I pointed out the stolen metal cases, in other countries, to show that this is more a case of human nature than a particular failure of Dominican society. You will find thieves in every society of this world, even in small islands. Some get caught others don't. Some get prosecuted others just get a slap on the wrist. Do you know of any country that solves every theft and convicts every thief?

Arcangel asks

. Do you know of any country that solves every theft and convicts every thief?

nope. but there are countries that try to. then, there are countries that try not to.

@dreadlocks,
I would qualify your statement as,

Some countries are better than others in dealing with these issues. No one really lives on a state of total anarchy.

@ xwill7:

I hope some sarcams was implied in your comment, otherwise: here's a picture and a video of some of the thousands of "tourists" using the metro everyday, now I think I'm going to need some help because I couldn't quite tell the difference whether they were canadians, europeans or simply from Villa Mella, but go ahead and take a wild guess.



http://www.imagenesdominicanas.co....tro-santo-domingo-provoca-su.html

(excuseme for the ad before the video, I hate those).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21z4g23xq4&feature=player_embedded


Oh but never mind, I forgot, transportation is not all that important so we don't need a Metro in the capital, besides we have plenty of "motoconchos" and "voladoras" that will do the trick just fine.

@tomito,
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tomito, what is the matter with you? those were Russians!

Thanks Dread, I knew I could count with some of you guys here to help me solve the next to impossible task of identifying these russians who flock all the way from Moscow just to admire such a wonderful "tourist attraction".

I am sure most of them bypass the beaches (after all who wouldn't rather dig a hole and take a nice plunge on some of those wonderful frozen lakes in Siberia). Hell, forget Punta Cana, Villa Mella here I come !

@tomito,
I'm just saying....los chicharones, morcilla and other fried delicacies of Villa Mella are internationally known!!

Written by: Arcangel96, 4 Oct 2011 10:56 AM
From: Dominican Republic


@danny00,
Stolen metal is not unique to Dominican Rep. This happens everywhere, even US and UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7586300.stm

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/....e-arrested-over-stolen-metal.html


Just ask Dready about stolen metal in his native Jamaica.

After seeing the video, this was a minor deal. so why all the hate and nonsense?

The Metro is a fact and is urgently needed for the capital city.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21z4g23xq4&feature=player_embedded

@Tomito.
A big thumbs-up to everything you said. This derailment was no big deal and nobody got hurt. The train cars suffered no damage and was back on track within hours.

The chronic complainers, cynics, downers and prophets of doom on this board, don't need much to start hollering about something they know diddly about.
Thanks to the metro, we'll see a lot less traffic accidents and fatalities, less pollution from chatarras, millions in savings from oil purchases, a very reliable mode of transport, a fast and easy commute, and a hell of a lot less vehicles on the road.
With gas prices being as they are in DR, I'd be crazy NOT to take the subway. ...But, you still think it's a money pit? Well, then, You can always walk, ride conchos or minibuses, or pay over $5.00US per gallon. enough said.
Next, let's build a freight/passenger train west to Haina, east to the SDQ, and north to Santiago, for starters then span further. What do ya' all think, eh?

says RonEvane

The chronic complainers, cynics, downers and prophets of doom on this board, don't need much to start hollering about something they know diddly about.

and i guess the aforementioned Mr Evane is a veritable fountain of knowledge regarding the matters at hand. well, Ron, if i may call you that, the basic issue here is a matter of PRIORITIES. since there is a little issue called FINITE FUNDS at stake, it is expected that whatever is available should be put to optimal use, benefitting as many people as possible. the metro serves, at present, a corridor 17 km long, and about a half a mile wide, on either side. it cost over a billion dollars, and the subsidies are extensive, since farebox receipts cannot cover operating costs. apart from people in the immediate surroundings, it serves no purpose to the rest of Dominican citizenry. when you have STUDIES that show that carbon particulates have been reduced, drivetimes have been shortened, and traffic jams have been reduced

then you are more than welcome to give your lecture to the haters, as you describe them. we are simply stating that other matters were far more pressing...such as a school or two, perhaps.

Mr. Dread, if I may call you that, I'm certainly no Einstein and admit that I know not much. But one thing I think have plenty of is common sense. You're saying that this Metro only serves a very small segment of the population. And you'd be wrong.
Let's try to figure how much money we have spent so far on oil purchases every single day, pre-metro and after-metro.
I don't have the exact figures and admittedly, I'm guessing here, but it has to be a lot less today than it was before the metro was built. How do I know this? Because those that take the metro are not using conchos and/or minibuses, hence less passenger miles per gallon of gas= less gas burned= less $$$ spent on oil. Money that stays in DR to benefit the entire country or the corrupt govt. Either way this money stays in DR and not in Venezuela.
The millions of dollars saved can easily be spent on, as you said, "benefiting as many people as possible"
You talk about "priorities" and "finite funds". When not spending the

money on expensive oil, it can be used to service those priorities you're concerned about, and better yet, every dollar we save hence forth, is money we can apply to bettering our infrastructure such as a nation-wide rail service running on electricity we can produce independently of foreign oil and Chavez's whim.
Again,more money to build a school or two, maybe a hell of a lot more!

RonEvane

As some one who been sitting on the side line on this one, may I add.....can we really trust our Gov. on the infrastructure let alone the power [electricity] to run it ?

I've always said why not go the monorail system [cost effect] the money saved alone can go towards education and at the same time the monorail can double as a money making tourist sight seeing venture like from Santo Domingo to Bayahibe along the coast for starters.

Sorry for butting in.

All take care.

@RonEvane and @dreadlocks,

Take a look at this....

El Metro and the Impacts of
Transportation System Integration
in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
A Report for the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development
http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/resourc....d-18/13may/round-table-3/GFDD.pdf

"Many in Santo Domingo consider the Metro an “educational investment,” increasing access for students to schools and freeing up time for them to learn (Gagain, 2009). Students are an important demographic in Santo Domingo and Metro Line One has five universities and 27 public schools along its route (OPRET, 2006). Most notably among these is UASD, with over 100,000 students – 10% of which already ride the Metro (Carrasco, 2009). 20% of Metro passenger survey respondents said school was their primary reason for riding the train."

http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/resourc....d-18/13may/round-table-3/GFDD.pdf

@Arcangel96: Good point.

Riosm.
Any system that runs on electricity can't be all bad, provided it's cost-effective. Thanks for your input.

Arcangel.

Anyone who doubts the benefit, usefulness and importance of the metro, should read up on your posted link. Thank you much.

RonEvane

Thank you Brother.