More fines for “diablos rojos”

Operations are taking place in the metropolitan area and so far inspectors have imposed 254 fines in less than a week.

They also took out of circulation 18 buses which did not have proper insurance documentation.

One the most shocking finds was a bus that has accumulated a total of $16,503.50 in fines. The vehicle belongs to SICOTRAC, one of the public transport unions.

The majority of the fines imposed were for bald tires, not having the appropriate security equipment and faulty lighting. The ATTT said that it is trying to make public transport safer.

Public transport in Panama, especially in the capital, is very poor and many of the vehicles are in poor condition.

In April this year, five people lost their lives in a crash between a taxi and bus in Alcalde Diaz, near the Tocumen airport, because the bus driver was racing with another vehicle. But perhaps the most shocking incident involving a bus happened on October 23, 2006 in which 18 people died and many others were injured when the vehicle caught fire near La Cresta, near Calidonia.

President Ricardo Martinelli wants to remove some of the diablos rojos from the streets and build a metro in the capital that will go as far as the Tocumen Airport.