The Dominican Republic invests in its transport concept. Photos: POMA

Cities, SI Urban 2/2023, SI Urban 2/2023

SANTO DOMINGO: SECOND CABLE CAR IMPROVES TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Since May 2023, the second cable car line from the French cable car manufacturer POMA has been transporting people between the Los Alcarrizos district and the center of Santo Domingo. In 2024, a third line is planned to be introduced in the Dominican Republic.

Johanna Janisch

9. October 2023

Narrow streets – this aspect posed the greatest challenge to POMA in the cable car project “Los Alcarrizos.“ However a collaboration with local residents and companies helped to smoothly finish the project after two years of construction.

The urban cable car line in Los Alcarrizos, Santo Domingo, is the second cable car transportation line after the Sabana Perdida project that was inaugurated in 2018. This second line was veiled by President Luis Abinader on the first of may.

It is a public transport system with the highest technical features, including a speed of 7m/s, capacity for up to 4,500 passengers per hour in each direction, a silent traction cable with vibration reduction, cabins for 12 people with lighting, radio communication system, and a video security system.

The first cable car in Santo Domingo

was a full success and initiated the second one.

Interconnection with metro planned

There are four stations in the Los Alcarrizos neighborhood, which are interconnected with the future extension of the Santo Domingo metro that is still under construction.

“The main goals for the cable car line were to facilitate mobility in the neighborhood. With only one main road the traffic is often congested through the day and in the dominican republic there are still no bicycles or sidewalks and it can get very hot“, said Benjamin Dunesme, POMA project manager in Santo Domingo.

The decision to build this urban cable car line was influenced by the success of the first cable car line connected to a metro station in Sabana Perdida in 2018. This first project allowed for transportation over the Ozama River twice and connected isolated neighborhoods along the river‘s curves to the city‘s mass transit system.

Following this success, the government initiated the construction process for the second cable car line in Los Alcarrizos in 2020. The cable car line addresses significant transportation infrastructure deficits in the Dominican Republic, where most daily commutes are made in informal and unsafe vehicles.

The current management of the Urban Transport Office (FITRAM) is working to improve public transportation and develop multimodal systems similar to those in Europe.

Luis Abinader

President of the Dominican Republik

“The new cable car line is intended to continue the citywide transformation process and further enhance social cohesion. Serving as a safe public transportation option, the cable car complements the local mobility initiative and facilitates the integration of historically disadvantaged sectors in the Los Alcarrizos district. Mobility becomes more efficient, comfortable, faster, and environmentally friendly.“

Positive impact

The operational cable car line has had a highly positive impact on the local community and the city as a whole. It represents an investment in a community that had been somewhat neglected by urban policies for many years. “People take pride in their different mode of transportation.

The younger generation has introduced their parents or grandparents to the concept, even if they were initially apprehensive about flying over their neighborhood. They‘ve discovered new views of the neighborhood they thought they knew well.

Some locals are employed in the operation and maintenance of the system, offering them professional opportunities. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the metro to quickly reach the heart of the capital“, Dunesme adds.

More lines planned

Looking ahead, there are plans for expansion, upgrades, or improvements to the existing cable car line. In 2024, there will be three different cable car lines in operation in the Dominican Republic, two in the capital and one in Santiago de los Caballeros.

The plan is to continue working in the country, with projects for additional lines in both cities. Aerial solutions offer many benefits at a lower cost compared to underground solutions.