Hundreds of people had to wait for over two hours at various points in the district of La Chorrera, Panama Oeste province, to travel to the capital city due to a lack of buses since the early morning. This transport crisis has been going on for several weeks after the cost of fuels increased and was aggravated by the temporary closure of the Bridge of the Americas. Eliecer Montenegro, leader of the La Chorrera Drivers and Motorists Union (SICAMOCH), explained that some owners of 'refrigerator' buses have decided not to provide service until they are certain of having a fuel subsidy. Bus drivers traveling to the capital in the early morning opt to stay at the Albrook terminal instead of returning to La Chorrera, as a way to save fuel. The transport leader indicated that yesterday, Tuesday, the line of passengers at the stops was longer because the buses were stuck in traffic on the highway and the Centenario Bridge. As a last resort, Montenegro said, in the morning 'tin can' buses were put on the streets, which were used to transport passengers to the capital. Montenegro said they are waiting for the authorities' decision regarding the opening of the Bridge of the Americas, following the inspection carried out yesterday morning. According to the SICAMOCH leader, it would be ideal for the government to comply with the delivery of subsidized fuel, which could be deposited at the fuel stations owned by the concessionaires or at the one existing at the Albrook terminal. On its part, SICAMOCH is giving a subsidy of $13.00 to 'refrigerator' type bus drivers, but the company cannot sustain this measure for much longer.
