By SHELMAR VÁSQUEZ SWEEN for La Prensa - The date for the government bid that would have selected the company responsible to supply and manage the 420 new buses for Panama City's new "Transmóvil" public transportation system, originally scheduled for the tomorrow morning, 15 January 2009, has been pushed back to the last week of this month because the the organization responsible for administering the bidding process has not yet finalized changes to the charge sheet. A group of seven vehicle manufacturers and distributors sent a document to the Ground Transportation and Transit Authority (ATTT) emphasizing deficiencies in the original charge sheet.

PANAMA CITY, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Copa Holdings, S.A. and its Copa Airlines and Aero Republica operating subsidiaries, today released preliminary passenger traffic statistics for December 2008. For the month of December 2008, Copa Holdings' system-wide passenger traffic (RPM) increased 16.5%, while capacity (ASM) increased 20.0%. System load factor for December 2008 was 74.2%, a 2.2 percentage point decrease when compared to December 2007. Copa Airlines passenger traffic (RPM) for December 2008 increased 17.7%, while capacity (ASM) increased 22.0%. This resulted in a load factor of 75.2%, a 2.8 percentage point decrease when compared to December 2007. Aero Republica passenger traffic (RPM) for December 2008 increased 10.8%, while capacity (ASM) increased 11.1%. Load factor for the month was 69.4%, a 0.2 percentage point decrease when compared to December 2007. Copa Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and Aero Republica operating subsidiaries, is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo service. Copa Airlines currently offers approximately 144 daily scheduled flights to 45 destinations in 24 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more than 120 other international destinations through code share agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. Aero Republica, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia, provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines' Hub of the Americas through flights from Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin and Pereira. Additionally, in May 2008, Aero Republica increased international service by launching direct daily flights to Caracas, Venezuela from the cities of Bogota and Medellin. CPA-G SOURCE Copa Holdings, S.A.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Extra credit for a cool idea - "Hi Don from a loyal long-time Panama-Guide reader. Don, I am moving from Panama next month and have a car I need to get rid of. My time is limited, so I came up with a unique way to try to get it sold... This could turn into a phenomenal deal for somebody... the car has got to go! Check it out and share it with your readers if you think it may be of interest ?! www.Free-Kia.com. Saludos, Steve Smith cel. 6727-9615" My obvious question for Steve was "and why don't I just keep my mouth shut and go pick up the free (or really cheap) car in a couple of weeks. Nah, this is more fun. Happy hunting, campers...

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

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - This morning a woman of Chinese descent was hit by one of Panama's famous "Diablo Rojo" (Red Devil) buses as she tried to cross Via España using a crosswalk, near the Blockbuster where Via Argentina meets Via España. When I arrived on the scene and started talking photos of the accident, immediately witnesses told me "hey, take a picture of the potatoes, there's the proof..." The woman had walked up to the corner store to buy a couple of potatoes and carrots to make lunch, and she was hit while returning to her store, the Electronica Caribe on Via España. And sure enough, there were two potatoes right in the middle of the crosswalk where she was hit. The force of the impact sent her flying about 15 meters down the street where she landed. (more)

La Prensa - The construction of a new vehicular bridge at the intersection of Ricardo J. Alfaro (Tumba Muerto) with the Avenida de la Paz (the road that goes into Cerro Patacón) and Villa Cáceres, that started on 14 January 2008 at a cost of more than $28 million dollars is now 71% finished, according to Panama's Ministry of Public Works (MOP). The construction, which is being completed by CONALVIAS S.A., should facilitate the flow of traffic and will help provide access to the two primary highways carrying vehicles toward Colón and La Chorrera and the Centennial Bridge. The total cost of the project includes the cost of indemnifications paid to residents in the area who were affected by the construction of new infrastructure, earth moving, and the placement of the new pillars that will support the bridge. It is estimated construction on the project will be completed by July 2009.

By Denise Lara for Telemetro Reporta Early this morning an 18 wheeler carrying a heavy container loaded with scrap metal jackknifed on the road leading from the Centennial Bridge towards Panama City near the National Baseball stadium. The accident caused traffic to be blocked for about an hour and a half in both directions while the disabled truck and container were cleared from the roadway. Some people were able to turn around and use other routes to arrive at their destinations, but most just stayed in their vehicles and waited for the accident to be cleared. Apparently the driver lost his brakes and control of the truck, causing the accident. No one was injured.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - There have been some changes made to the traffic flow in the banking district, specifically between Ave. Balboa and Calle 50 and the area near the Hotel Marriott. Thanks to Russ for sending me this map:

The map says it all. There's an ATTT press release which describes the same changes depicted on the map, but you can figure it out.

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

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Due to the ongoing construction of the "Cinta Costera" (Coastal Strip) or expansion of Ave. Balboa, starting on Monday 5 January 2009 from Ave. Balboa to Via Israel there will only be one lane open for traffic. In addition, Vía Italia will only be open to traffic in the morning hours. Work on the project is expected to continue until at least June 2009. Traffic in the area will be significantly restricted until the project is completed.

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

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.