You asked us to (1) describe Puerto Rico's public transportation system; (2) describe the licensing requirements, operating hours, and restrictions for "publicos" (public cars); and (3) indicate whether the system includes a shuttle service for the poor.

SUMMARY

Puerto Rico's public transportation system consists of publicos, taxis, buses, ferries, trolleys, and a train that is scheduled to start operating next November. Publicos, which are relatively inexpensive and operate outside the San Juan area, are one of the most popular forms of transportation in Puerto Rico. There are no shuttle services specifically for the poor, but shuttles are available at regular rates to people with medical conditions, and the elderly and physically disabled pay a discounted bus fare.

We believe that Puerto Rico's public transportation system operates as described, but since our sources were written in Spanish we were required to translate.

PUBLICOS

Publicos are private cars franchised by the government. They are one of the most popular methods of travel in Puerto Rico. An individual can operate his own car as a publico, or a company can operate a fleet of publicos and hire people to drive them. A publico driver has to have a class one, two, or three operator's license, as well as a public driver's license ("Licencia Porteador Publico"). Publicos run frequently from town to town and depart from plazas. The hours of service vary from town to town but, except for San Juan, publicos do not run after 5:00 or 6:00 pm. Drivers set the fares which, because of competition, tend to be the same for particular destinations.

TAXIS

Tourists generally use "taxi turisticos," or tourist taxis. These taxis are operated and licensed in almost the same way as publicos. The one difference is that a taxi driver has to complete a course in road safety and English to receive his public driver's license. The Public Service Commission sets flat rates to specific tourist destinations; the rates to other destinations are metered. An individual can also charter a taxi for $20.00 per hour.

BUSES

The Metropolitan Bus Authority (MBA), also known as the Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses (AMA), was integrated into the Department of Transportation and Public Works in 1973. The MBA runs primarily in the San Juan metropolitan area. It manages 214 transit and 21 paratransit (Dial-a-Ride) buses and serves seven of the 13 districts in San Juan. More specifically, there are thirty-nine routes including five express routes. The buses operate between 5:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. depending on the route. The regular fare is $.25. Elderly or handicapped riders who apply beforehand to the MBA pay $.10.

DIAL-A RIDE/SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

The Dial-a Ride ("Llame y Viaje") buses provide shuttle services to people with special needs. An individual with a specific approved medical condition can apply for the shuttle by contacting the MBA. Passengers are picked up at their homes and brought to any location that the MBA serves, but people must schedule their pickups in advance. The shuttle operates between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. It costs $.50, but if the rider requires a transfer, it can cost up to $2.50.

FERRY SERVICE

The ferry service in San Juan is owned and operated by the port authority. Passengers can take a ferry from the tourist dock in San Juan to Fajardo, Vieques, Catano, Old San Juan and Mayaguez. Some routes require passengers to be at the port one hour before departure. The hours of operation depend on the route but are generally between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The fares are between $.50 and $2.25.

TROLLEY

Free trolley rides are available in Old San Juan. This service only runs up and down the streets of Old San Juan.

TRAIN

The Department of Transportation and Public Works is building an urban rapid-transit system called Urban Train. This line will link the central business district of the island to residential and employment areas in San Juan and surrounding communities. The train is scheduled to begin operating in November, 2001.

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