Metro users report congestion, although some value the service as efficient

Santo Domingo.– The Santo Domingo Metro is operating with high demand and long lines this Wednesday afternoon, after President Luis Abinader ordered the early release at 1:00 p.m. of public and private employees as a preventive measure against the tropical storm Melissa.

In stations like Ortega y Gasset, passengers reported delays of more than half an hour to board the trains and overcrowding on the platforms.

You may be interested in: http://Motoconchistas mantienen servicio pese a las lluvias por la tormenta Melissa

“You can't get out or in, everything is congested. I had been waiting half an hour to get on,” reported Gilberto Esteve, a user of the service.

However, other passengers acknowledged that, despite the massive flow of people, the system has remained operating efficiently. "There is a lot of traffic outside, but the subway has kept working well. It's the best option to get around in the rain," commented Zagdiel, who preferred to use the underground transport to return home. Authorities reported that the Metro maintains its operations normally, although with a higher volume of passengers due to the reduction of surface transport affected by the rains. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) reiterated its call to the population to move with caution and to avoid going out unnecessarily while the effects of the Melissa storm persist.