Taxis vs. UBER

According to Ulysses Calvo, of the Panama Transport Authority (ATTT), UBER drivers are outside of the “transport scheme” and the authority will be issuing fines to those attempting to provide the service.  The news was welcomed by taxi drivers who protest on Avenida Balboa Tuesday, March 29.

However the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela, said on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, that Uber, a  is no competition for local taxi drivers since it is more expensive than traditional service and only offers payment  through credit cards. The president continued that  that banning Uber activities in the country would affect people looking to supplement their economy.

In response to the ATTT calling UBER a "pirate" shuttle service, the company Uber has said though a public  statement that "everyone has the right to choose how we want to move in our city."

Varela said although it is a process involving several stages, in the coming week he would be addressing the issue of informal transport with the ATTT and National Security Council.