Carpools benefit from new vehicle restrictions

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced this week that vehicle restrictions will be enforced from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week beginning May 2.

But carpools will allow motorists to avoid the restrictions. Vehicles with three or more passengers now are exempt from the restrictions and the ¢31,600 ($62) fine that would occur if caught violating the restriction.

Currently the restriction is only enforced during rush hour in San José, from 6-7:30 a.m. and from 4:30-7 p.m. MOPT will not implement restrictions in other parts of the country. The changes in the restrictions were done to offset the rise in fuel costs.

Public transport, taxis, buses, cars for disabled people, motorcycles and tourist transport also are excluded from the restriction.

The toll on the Florencio del Castillo Highway (route to Cartago) will also be suspended between 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Highway tolls on San Ramón, Alajuela and Braulio Carrillo will also be deactivated on weekdays where lines of cars stretch more than 300 meters.