By Saúl Quintero Quirós for El Siglo - In Panama City there are still 16,800 taxis that still have to be painted yellow. The owners of these vehicles have just a very short time in order to comply with the new regulations from the Ground Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT) which mandates that all taxis nation-wide must be painted yellow by 30 May 2009. According to the director of the ATTT, Heraclio Batiste, there are about 28,000 taxis in Panama City, and of those about 40% or 11,200 cars have already been painted. And although the regulation dates back to June of 2006, and the ATTT has already granted one extension, there are still more than 16,000 taxis circulating the city of various colors said Batiste, when remembering the extension requested by the Taxi Board of Directors that has already been granted. But, in spite of changes, such as the zoning, which represented an increase in the tariffs and a reduction in the cost of fuel, car owners still have to overcome the cost of painting the cars at a price of between $500 to $900 dollars. For the secretary of the National Union of Bases of Transport of Taxis (UNBATT), González Marks, are a situation that stops some of the proprietors is difficult, but where the majority is conscious of the necessity to fulfill the norm. “Many must fulfill a series of documents as they are the new registry to carry, certification of the change of color and inscription of the car for the selective transport service”, said González. The carrier leader criticized that very few agencies of cars bring yellow cars, which is a problem.

NEW YORK (AP) - Copa Airlines of Panama is ordering four additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Copa Holdings and Boeing Co. said late Tuesday The next-generation 737s will be delivered within the next three years. In total, Copa has now ordered 13 of the planes from Chicago-based Boeing. Panama City-based Copa currently has 42 aircraft in its fleet, and 27 of those are 737-800s. Up to 160 passengers can fit in the aircraft, with 144 seats in the main cabin and 16 in executive class.

La Estrella - Members of SINAPROC and employees from the Ministry of Public Works began the labor of repairing the road and cleaning up in the sector of Rambala, Changuinola, one of the points most affected by landslides caused by heavy rains last Friday. Authorities now have the road reopened, but with restrictions after 6:00 pm due to the risks.

By Santiago Cumbrera for the Panama America - Starting on Monday morning the Panamanian government will begin the process of approving the charge sheets for the bidding process to purchase the first 420 new buses in a public act that will be witnessed by a notary public and held on 15 January 2009. The bid will he held amid complaints from some transportation workers charging that some presidents of bus yards signed an indemnification proposal from the government to "remove them from the system." Those partnerships and companies interested in selling the new buses to the government that will replace the "Red Devils" will meet at the Transit Authority at 10:00 am on Monday morning. The company that wins the bid - determined by the government to represent the best overall value - must assume the responsibility of preventative maintenance of the buses for the first 250,000 kilometers. According to the charge sheet (or instructions for the bidding process) the buses must have a capacity for 80 to 90 passengers, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. In addition, the concessionaire will have to have a space of at least 3,500 square meters to store the units.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I know there's nothing really interesting going on in Panama when the evening news consists of little more than street crime and traffic accidents. Last night and this morning were like that - a steady stream of car vs. bus, car vs. power pole, taxi vs. car, what have you. When they have nothing else to talk about, the camera crews and reporters will park in front of the entrance to the Emergency Room at the Santo Tomas hospital and film every poor battered soul that comes rolling in. To me, that's the same as saying "there's nothing else worth talking about going on." Oh yeah, there were a bunch of traffic accidents yesterday. Thought you might like to know, but of course that statement will be true today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of my life. Don't worry, I'll only break it out when I'm bored.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

Panama America - Panamanian National Assemblyman Leandro Ávila presented a draft of a bill that would allow for the immediate removal of cars involved in minor traffic accidents from public streets and highways as a measure towards improving the traffic situation in Panama City. According to Avila, the initiative would allow the report generated by the insurance company representatives who respond to the scene of accidents to be used by Traffic Judges to determine who was responsible for the accident. He mentioned the slowness of the response by Traffic Police to arrive at the scene of accidents, who until now are the only ones with the authority to produce an official report. He said the high number of accidents is due to the lack of courtesy and tolerance by drivers, as well as the increases in the number of cars on the roads every year, compounded by the fact that the major entry and exit routes to Panama City continue to remain the same.

By Evelio Valdés for El Siglo - A total of 56 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in the province of Chiriquí so far in 2008, the same number as in 2007, but authorities fear the tally might rise in the coming days as a result of the Christmas and New Years celebrations. Statistics from the Operations Directorate of the Ground Traffic and Transit Authority reveal that, through last weekend, the district of David registered the greatest number of victims with 13, followed by Barú with 10, Bugaba with nine, Alanje with seven and Boquete with five. Of the 56 deaths so far in 2008, 20 have been in collisions, 19 people were run over, 10 in single vehicle accidents, five in overturned vehicles, and two people who fell from moving vehicles. More accidents take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

By ROBERTO GONZÁLEZ JIMÉNEZ for La Prensa - Between January - September 2008 3.34 million passengers have used the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, according to a report from the administration of the airport. This represents an increase of 564,000 more travelers, or an increase of 20% compared to the same time frame in 2007.

By RAÚL A. BERNAL for La Prensa - Starting this coming Saturday, with the implementation of new limits on gasoline prices, the price for 91 octane gasoline and diesel will be below $2.00 per gallon, although prices for 95 octane will be $2.08 per gallon in Panama and Colon. The government will make a definitive decision regarding fuel prices and the price limits in early 2009.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The other side of the news today was about fatal traffic accidents. The driver of a garbage truck was killed in an accident near the bridge over the Río Camarón on the road leading to the Centennial Bridge after he lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Three others were injured. Another driver, this time of an 18 wheeler, was burned to death when his rig hit another truck on the Inter American Highway near El Gavilán de la Mesa, in the province of Veraguas. I've said it dozens of times - that the most dangerous thing you're likely to do while here in Panama is drive. Please, take it easy, drive defensively, slow down, buckle up, all that...

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.