The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico issued an adverse opinion of the fiscal operations of the Integrated Transport Authority of Puerto Rico (ATI). The tests performed and the evidence demonstrate that the operations related to compliance with Act 123-2014, Act of the Integrated Transport Authority of Puerto Rico, were not carried out, in all significant aspects, in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
The Report reveals that, as of February 3, 2023, the Integrated Transport Authority had not obtained the certification as a federal funds grantee from the Federal Transit Administration. This certification, among other requirements, is necessary to complete the merger of the Metropolitan Bus Authority and the Maritime Transport Authority into the ATI.
This situation has also prevented the collective transportation services from being integrated and the operations of the Urban Train, and of the programs operated by the Highway Authority, from being transferred to the ATI. The lack of an efficient public and collective transport service affects the continued dependence on the use of the private automobile, makes the mobility of citizens burdensome, and represents a high cost in a family's budget.
The one-finding audit notes that the ATI did not submit to the Legislative Assembly or to the Governor the annual program of the activities to be carried out, nor the reports of the status and progress of its transport, nor the quarterly reports of the service provided. In addition, the ATI did not provide for examination by the Comptroller's auditors the evidence of having presented the financial statements of accounts for fiscal years 2015 to 2017.
In fact, the executive director certified in 2021 that no evidence was found of having delivered the required reports to the Legislature or to the Governor. In this regard, the executive director indicated that he was unaware of the required reports, and that he does not have sufficient personnel to comply with all the requirements of law.
The report of the Integrated Transport Authority covers the period from August 3, 2014, to June 30, 2020.
The Audit Report CP-23-05 can be found on our website: www.ocpr.gov.pr.
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