Downtown Vehicular Restriction To Be Extended
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) - Public Works and Transport - is getting ready to issue a decree to extend the vehicular restrictions of downtown San José until the 20th of May 2006.

MOPT Minister, Randall Quirós, said that it will then be up to the new government to made the decision to continue with the policy or not.  (The new government takes office on May 1, 2006).

The order that restricts vehicular movement a defined area of the downtown core expires on January 3, 2006.

Quirós said that the restriction has been successful in the decrease of the use of gasoline and congestion of the downtown core during peak hours. Though it is still to early to tell, the minister says that a reduction in pollution is also expected, and the reason for the extention.

Vehicles are restricted from circulating in the downtown area between 7am and 8:30am and 4pm and 5:30pm depending on the last digit of the license plate. Mondays vehicles with the last number ending in 1 and 2 are restricted; Tuesdays 3 and 4; Wednesdays 5 and 6; Thursdays 7 and 8; and, Fridays 9 and 0.

The restricted are is defined as between Calles 11 and 22 and Avenidas 9 and 16.

Taxis, buses and emergency vehicles are excluded.

Fines for disobeying the order is ¢5.000 colones. Though the Transit officials continued to issue fines during appeals made to the Constitutional Court, the court ruled that the fines are legal and the 18.000 drivers who were issued fines must pay up. The court decision came down last week, giving drivers one month grace to make the payment.

In addition to the ¢5.000 colones, another ¢1.500 colones is added to the payment that is sent directlyt to the Patronato Nacional de Infancia (PANI) - child welfare agency. Fines not paid on time will see late fees and interest added.