Taxi! Dominican Republic orders cabbies to paint their cars yellow or buy from new fleet

DomRep orders cabbies to only drive yellow cars

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — More than 3,000 bright yellow taxis will soon be zipping around the Dominican Republic.

Officials have ordered that cabs be identified by the standard color to regulate the business and ensure passenger safety.

The government has bought a fleet of new yellow Toyota Corollas to be used as taxis in the capital of Santo Domingo and the northern city of Santiago. Several banks and a state institution issued a $129 million loan to buy the cars. They start circulating Wednesday.

Taxi drivers have the option of painting their current cab yellow or buying one of the new ones and receiving a tax break.

The government said Friday it also plans to certify drivers.