Transit Office: All people have the right to transport themselves without discrimination

The Executive Director of the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (INTRANT), Claudia Franchesca De los Santos affirmed that all citizens, regardless of whether they are Dominican or foreigners, have the same right to transport themselves safely and without discrimination.

The official explained that both the Constitution of the Republic and other laws and regulations are free to transit, so it is a violation of this constitutional mandate to deny transport service to people.

“The Dominican Republic is a democratic country in which all citizens enjoy the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and the laws, and one of those is free transit so that those who incur this type of violation assume the established consequences.

The statements of the Executive Director of INTRANT, arise as a result of what was stated by the president of the National Transport Confederation (CONATRA), Antonio Marte, ordering the drivers of their buses not to transport Haitian citizens.

The Executive Director of the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (INTRANT), Claudia Franchesca De los Santos affirmed that all citizens, regardless of whether they are Dominican or foreigners, have the same right to transport themselves safely and without discrimination.

The official explained that both the Constitution of the Republic and other laws and regulations are free to transit, so it is a violation of this constitutional mandate to deny transport service to people.

“The Dominican Republic is a democratic country in which all citizens enjoy the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and the laws, and one of those is free transit so that those who incur this type of violation assume the established consequences.

The statements of the Executive Director of INTRANT, arise as a result of what was stated by the president of the National Transport Confederation (CONATRA), Antonio Marte, ordering the drivers of their buses not to transport Haitian citizens.

“The government will never allow a similar action, that is not nor has it been the policy of this government. The Dominican Republic is a free and democratic country, in which all citizens can move and transport freely, and no one can restrict that right, “added the official.

Law 63-17 in its Article No.56 establishes that “the public passenger transport service shall be provided without discrimination to the persons that require it.”

She recalled that the Law empowers INTRANT to establish the corresponding administrative sanctions for operators, in case of violation of any of its articles.

“Any person who is in the national territory has the right to transit freely per the law, and such freedom cannot be limited for discriminatory reasons,” she said.

Claudia De los Santos also stated that INTRANT will adopt all necessary measures to prevent and combat the discrimination that occurs in the transport sector. This is a public service that the State has granted to individuals, which must be offered to the public without prejudice for reasons of any kind otherwise, these concessions could be revoked and reassigned to other companies that do not engage in practices prohibited by the Constitution and laws.

The director of INTRANT affirmed that the national land transport policy that this institution is implementing meets the guarantees of equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility of people, not only in their capacity as drivers but also as passengers, in all areas regulated by Law 63-17.