Metro authorities assert capacity for more passengers as vehicle restriction begins

SANTIAGO.- The president of the underground transportation company Metro, Clemente Pérez, assured today that the service is prepared for an increase in the number of passengers after a four-digit non-catalytic vehicle restriction began this morning.

"We can handle an increase in flow", Pérez told Radio Cooperativa while asserting that with the start of the restriction, the company expects there to be an increase of between 5 and 8% in the number of passengers during peak hours.

Meanwhile, the Regional Transportation Authority, Pablo Rodríguez, indicated that necessary measures are being taken to confront the increase in passengers –during "pre-emergency" days there will also be a restriction on four-digit catalytic vehicles-, since 30% of commuters use the public system.

"The biggest concern is in relation to peak hours, between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, when there could be between 25 and 30 thousand more people on the subway system.  While it is true that this is going to place pressure on public transportation demand, we believe we can support it", stated Rodríguez.