transportation

Transmóvil plan blasted

Transportation workers snubbed the government’s plan to modernize the public transportation system as “improvised” and incomplete.

David Mesa/La Prensa

a “diablo rojo” bus1052138

The Transmóvil project, the government’s plan to modernize the public transportation system, has now been rejected by both the Movimiento de Bases Transportistas y Usuarios and the Comisión Vial de la Sociedad Panameña de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (Spia). The two groups cited different reasons for their decision.

Movimiento members claim that the project endangers their jobs, while the Comisión Vial de la Spia says the plan will not solve the current transportation system’s problems. President Martín Torrijos presented the Transmóvil proposal on June 14.

Ulises Lay, a Comisión member, described the project as an “improvisation” that the government want to finish hurriedly before the current administration comes to an end.

The project requires more comprehensive planning, said Lay, including roadways and a system of mass transit and ticketing that will completely replace the current operation of “diablo rojos.”

Lay explained that both the authorities and Spia have studies indicating the need for a massive overhaul of the system.

The government responded only by saying that the Transmóvil project is a state issue and that it is looking for a solution that will “benefit users.”

The transportation association that rejected the project have come up with a figure for a government buyout of their business. Mariano González, a representative for bus drivers, said they will ask for at least $70,000 for drivers and $120,000 for each “diablo rojo” replaced by the new buses included in the Transmóvil plan.

Last Saturday, the Asamblea Nacional passed a law allowing the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre to establish guidelines for compensating transportation workers.

Leonilo Solis, coordinator of the Transmóvil project, said the buses removed from the public transportation system will be used by schools and government ministries. Solis also said he was preparing the criteria for the bidding process for purchasing the new buses.