Transportation Public transport Panama Transit Authority and Land Transportation TaxiCab city transport system concession taxi buses tender Business and Investment Roberto Moreno Transtarjetas de Panamá consession models public consession Blue Bird Corporation

Panama: Taxi Service to be Concessional

The Transit and Land Transport Authority has announced that the taxi system will change from hired to concessional format.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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.

Taxi drivers' unions oppose the measure. Ricardo Miranda, a spokesman for the National Union of Workers of Transportation Taxis, described the decision to give concessions on taxi services as "damaging"

An article in Elsiglo21.com notes: "According to Miranda, selling a taxi (similar to the ‘diablos rojos’ when the Metrobus system started) would be 'suicide'. The independent owners, said Miranda, will not accept this system because the ATTT will have to indemnify licenced owners for 'ridiculous' amounts ‘and then how will ‘palancas’ (drivers for hire) earn a living?’, he asked. "

Source: elsiglo.com

Key entities

Panama Transit Authority and Land Transportation Roberto Moreno

Insight

Public transport concession consession models taxi TaxiCab Transportation

Rise of Motorcycle Taxis in Guatemala

June 2012

Popularly known as "tuc tuc’s", these vehicles are displacing traditional urban transport.

In the area of San Benito and Flores alone more than 600 motorcycle taxis are in circulation, and they are preferred by transport users for their speed. The increase in the number of units has led to the formation of draft regulations specifically for them, as they are not covered under the Traffic Act.

Costa Rica: Tender for 100 for Airport Taxi Licenses

October 2011

Until 28th November the Public Transport Council (CTP In Spanish) will be receiving bids for taxi services at the Juan Santamaria International Airport .

According to the specifications given in concession, they require 60 registered number plates for light vehicles, 30 for micro-buses and 10 for vehicles adapted to carry disabled people.

Panama: New Rules for Taxi System

May 2011

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.