BRIEFS. transportation

Taxi drivers reject order to paint cabs yellow

Taxi drivers and the group that represents them, the Unión Nacional de Bases Taxistas (Unbat), yesterday repudiated the official resolution that requires them to paint their vehicles yellow. At a meeting called by Unbat's directors, they also condemned the lack of security for drivers in a city faced with increased violence and crime.

Unbat's leader, Marco González, reported that drivers would have to spend at least $500 to repaint their cars plus another $59 for new registration documents. That's nearly two months' earnings for a Panamanian making the minimum wage.

Miguel Martínez, secretary general of the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (ATTT) has given drivers until June 1, 2008 to change the color of their cabs. Gonzálezsaid he would try to meet with the ATTT's director to discuss the matter but that he has not ruled out the possibility of a strike.

There are currently more than 25,000 taxis operating in the province of Panama.