The influential businessman David Toribio Lantigua from Puerto Plata, has asked President Leonel Fernández to restore the train connection between Puerto Plata and the second-largest town in the country, Santiago.
This was in response to the announcement by the President that a better train connection would be made with the harbour town of Haina.
David Toribio Lantigua says that the route between Puerto Plata and Santiago is much shorter and that.
The old train
Even if you look far back in history, Puerto Plata has always been the main harbour for Cibao, and thus for Santiago and surrounding areas.
The dictator Ulises Heureaux (Lilis) opened the route between Moca and Puerto Plata in 1897.
The harbour town became a transfer-harbour for the local area, and exported tropical wood, cigars, tobacco, rum and sugar.
When the dictator Trujillo came to power during the 1930s, he encountered a lot of opposition from the important families in the harbour town, so he punished Puerto Plata by dismantling the railway line in 1952, to the fury of those with their own sugar plantations.
Partly as a result of this action, the flourishing town of Puerto Plata lost its momentum.
But now, according to businessman David Toribio Lantigua, the time has come for the President to correct this injustice.
A train connection would open up more trade and provide jobs for the many youngsters who are currently unemployed.
Now we just have to wait for an answer from the President.
