Moto rides to cost more

Rising prices of fuel across the country have prompted moto-taxi associations to tell their members to increase the prices they charge to transport passengers.
Many workers depend upon the motoconchos as the cheapest and only means to get from their homes to their place of work.
One motoconcho group, ASOCRUMA based in Santo Domingo, raised their prices two weeks ago by 5 pesos for short journeys and 10 pesos on longer journeys.
They say, since they implemented the rise, their members are now able to achieve the 500 pesos daily profit they were receiving before the recent fuel increases.
Aside from the constant increase in the price of gas; the price of engine lubricants, oil and even spare parts has also increased.
Some motoconcho associations have not yet raised their prices, but say their members are earning considerably less than a year ago.
ASOMOPA, another association based in Las Caobas in Espaillat have not yet increased their prices and offer their basic service for 20 pesos. They also say that if a customer only has 10 or 15 pesos they will still take them.
“We pay for expensive tires, our engines require expensive parts; everything has increased in cost, and at the moment we are just about able to cover our expenses,” stated July Jiménez, the Secretary-General of the association.