Metro bus snafu may lead to shaky start
(newsroompanama.com) Promises of a December 18 start of a smoothly functioning metro bus system in Panama are in jeopardy.
The system was supposed to involve pre paid cars, and buses stopping only at designated shelters, which would be deigned to accommodate the low level, user- friendly steps on the new vehicles.
Instead the system will begin December without a financial manager and the old cash payment system.
The snafu came about says La Prensa because the transportation authority (ATTT) cancelled the tender procedure of managing the prepaid cars involving four competing companies.
The ATTT rejected all the proposals because there were "elements that were not taken into account by the institution" which could have resulted in damage to the ATTT and the users of the system. The “elements," were not detailed in the resolution to abandon the tender.
The necessary bus stops have not been built and the promised designated lanes for buses are not in place.. Drivers are demanding $700 -$800 a month instead of the $480 offered by the government.
The first buses are scheduled to start serving the Corridor Sur on December 18, and the Corridor Norte in early January. The in-city buses are expected to become operational in July.
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Original source: Newsroompanama
Date Retrieved: November 10, 2010.
