Abinader inaugurates restored Alcázar de Colón Museum and new Electric Route in Colonial City

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader inaugurated the renovated Alcázar de Colón Museum and launched the Colonial City Electromobility Route on Monday, combining efforts to preserve the Dominican Republic’s historic heritage with more sustainable transportation.

The initiatives are part of the ongoing revitalization of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union.

Abinader highlighted the importance of preserving the country’s historical heritage and said the restored museum can serve as an educational space for tourists, students and Dominicans.

Tourism Minister David Collado said the Ministry of Tourism invested RD$100 million in the restoration of the Alcázar de Colón, while the IDB provided US$3 million for the museum’s exhibits. The broader program also includes restoration projects involving historic buildings, churches and public spaces in the Colonial City.

The Alcázar’s restoration included sanitation work, archaeological research, new technology and a new museography designed to improve the visitor experience.

Electric route to serve more than 40,000 people

The new Electromobility Route is a pilot project designed to improve transportation for residents and visitors to the Colonial City. It includes five electric buses, charging equipment and upgrades to the charging yard.

The project received more than RD$71 million from the European Union and RD$98 million from the IDB. The 12.4-kilometer route will have 31 stops, including 17 within the Colonial City and 14 outside it.

The buses can carry 22 passengers and include wheelchair ramps and priority seating for people with disabilities, reduced mobility and senior citizens.

The route is expected to benefit more than 40,000 people and aims to improve air quality, reduce emissions and noise, and promote energy-efficient transportation. The service will be operated by OMSA, while INTRANT will oversee regulation.

Collado also announced that the Ministry of Tourism will acquire five additional electric buses to expand the service.

The initiative forms part of a broader tourism and urban development program for the Colonial City focused on restoring historic spaces, improving housing and expanding accessible mobility.