The growth in the last three years is mainly due to easier credit by local banks and the economic growth that the country has been experiencing.
Data from the Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT) reveals that in 2010 there were 550,000 cars circulating in Panama, while so far in 2013 the number has increased to 900,000, ie, in just three years over 350 thousand automobiles have been added to Panama's roads.
Car rental agencies in Panama have described the contract signed by the government with the company Traffic Safety as harmful to the state and the private sector.
Traffic Safety in Panama operates traffic surveillance cameras in Panama City.
In the lawsuit filed before the Supreme Court of Justice, the union which represents vehicle leasing companies argues that the contract is "onerous" and "harmful" for both the state and individuals, and specially for those renting cars.
In Panama statistics up to the month of July 2012 show an increase of $63 million in motor vehicle claims, which means an increase of 22% compared to July 2011.
Martesfinanciero.com reports that "The latest figures from the Transit Authority and Land Transport (ATTT) account for more than 20,000 traffic accidents in the first seven months of the year, and insurance companies are concerned because this means a possible reduction in profit margins exclusively in the industry’s car insurance branch this year. "
Because of the difficulties caused by works on the Metro and the road realignment plan, containers with goods are not arriving in time to their destinations.
According to Hector Nunez, president of the Association of Freight Transportation in Panama (Atracapa), "for each late delivery carriers must pay a fine to the ports and shipping companies. When the goods are coming with cooling, the penalty is $75, while for other containers it is $50 per day.
The municipality has announced that in the near term they will launch a bidding process for the construction and management of parking in public areas.
The mayor Roxana Mendez said that eleven different alternatives for the construction of parking lots are being analyzed.
Jorge Garcia Icaza, president of the Transport Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture in Panama, made the proposal for adapting public spaces for parking areas, reported pa-digital.com.pa
Land freight transport is booming, having grown by 9% in 2011 and contributing 11.5% to GDP.
In recent years, the land freight sector in Panama has grown in volume, transporting more goods to destinations in Central America, Mexico and even in the U.S.
"Overall, the sector contributes 11.5% to gross domestic product (GDP). Road freight alone accounts for 9.5% and going by land in the zones was 2%, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)", reports Martesfinanciero.com. "The increase is visible. According to figures from the National Customs Authority (ANA), in 2011 alone the movement of cargo through the Paso Canoa border with Costa Rica, was up 9.3% compared to 2010. "
The Panamanian Transit Authority has awarded the Mexican company the design and implementation of an electronic solution for Single Vehicle Registration (RFID).
With a bid of $15.2 million Accesos Holográficos S.A. was the only company to submit an offer and participate in the bidding.
According to an article in Laestrella.com.pa "The proponent submitted a letter of promise in which they agree to install an authorized workshop with service technicians and equipment parts. They must also verify that they are the manufacturers and owner of the software being proposed or vertify that they are the authorized representative of the proposed software solutions, reported ATTT."
The Urban Equipment company of Panama, SA (EUPAN) will carry out the study, design, construction, supply and installation of "pay zones" for users of the Metro Bus transportation system
A press release from the Presidency of the Republic of Panama reads:
The Minister of the Presidency, Jimmy Papadimitriu reported that the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT) has contracted, by a special procedure, the Urban Equipment company of Panama, SA (EUPAN) to handle the study, design, construction, supply and installation of "pay zones" for users of the new Metro Bus transport system in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito.
The Panamanian Transit and Land Transportation Authority has put out to tender the design and implementation of an electronic solution for Single Vehicle Registration.
The goal of the new system is to create greater flexibility and efficiency for drivers.
According to the specifications, the tender includes the supply and implementation of an electronic solution for single vehicle registration (RFID).
Panama’s Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT in Spanish) will issue a tender in late November.
In this second tender will be 550 buses offered for sale as scrap. The buses, known as 'red devils', were removed from the urban transport system with the arrival of the Metro Bus.
"Roger Arauz, Director of Legal Services at ATTT, said this will be the second tender for the scrapping of buses; the first having been awarded to the company Panama Metal Recycling Company S.A a month ago", reported Prensa.com.
Three companies participated in the approval meeting for the sale of 313 buses that have been taken out of circulation by the Transportation Authority of Panama.
Participating firms were Exportaciones Metálicas, Panama Metal and Scrap Logic.
The Authority for Transit and Land Transport (ATTT) was emphatic in its insistence that the notice to proceed would not be released until the contractor has submitted an environmental impact study.
The Authority for Transit and Land Transport (ATTT) will shortly put out to a tender for the sale of 313 buses known as 'diablos rojos' (red devils) which were removed from service.
The tender has been approved by the board of the ATTT and published in the Gazette.
"At the moment, the Ministry of Finance is conducting an inspection of each of the buses to find out what state they are really in.
The Transit and Land Transport Authority has announced that the taxi system will change from hired to concessional format.
Roberto Moreno, deputy director of the Authority, said the new system will have the same rules as Mi Bus, the metrobus system management company, adding that concessional taxis will remove taxi drivers "I don't go there" policies.
Greater streamlining and efficiency for drivers is the aim of the new system.
In order to increase the efficiency of the registration system and reduce the rate of car theft, the government is putting out to tender the design of a system, worth $16 million.
The director of the Transit Authority and Land Transport (ATTT), Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, is the official authorized to select the contractor who will develop the new system.
The hiring of taxis will be regulated by the government through a concession system.
Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, director of the Transit Authority and Transport of Panama (ATTT) said they expect the first contracts to be signed before the end of 2011.
About 30 000 taxis are currently circulating in Panama City.
According to an article in Prensa.com: "With the concession system ...