Santo Domingo's transport office, the Oficina para el Reordenamiento del Transporte (Opret), has published the procurement processes for maintenance of the Santo Domingo Metro and the Teleférico cable car, according to Diario Libre. The agreements would last four years, while the cost estimates cover a ten-year planning horizon.
According to Diario Libre, the technical specifications, maintenance plans and economic estimates are available on the Portal de Compras y Contrataciones Públicas. Opret said the publication is part of measures to keep both systems safe and running continuously.
Scope of the work
Opret explained that the ten-year horizon allows technical interventions to be anticipated, but these are not necessarily carried out within the contract period. The projections therefore do not represent a ten-year hiring commitment.
The planned work includes replacing the Teleférico cables, which is estimated for years seven and eight depending on wear. Major maintenance of the trains is scheduled every 900,000 kilometres travelled. Interventions are also foreseen on traction cells, communication cabinets and other components essential to operation.
Companies and procedure
Opret named the companies taking part in the processes as Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi (formerly Thales) and Sofratesa, which were part of the Eurodom I and II consortia that built the Metro. For the Teleférico, the company listed is Poma.
The office said these are exception procedures, due to the technical characteristics of the infrastructure and the need for manufacturers and specialised companies for the equipment, spare parts and services required. Some of these firms have installed and maintained the systems since their construction, according to the agency.
Transition to EMT
Opret is carrying out the procedures as the contracting entity during the current institutional transition. Under Decree No. 60-26, the Empresa Metropolitana de Transporte (EMT) will take over the legal continuity of the maintenance contracts from 1 January 2027, through the transfer mechanisms established.
Opret stated that the processes aim to protect the State's investment and ensure that users continue to have safe and reliable public transport.