Leaders of the four taxi companies operating in La Chorrera, Panama West province, have appealed to the district councilors for intervention to address the growing piracy in transportation. Taxi drivers report being victims of verbal aggression from private car drivers who, from the early hours of the morning, position themselves near taxi stands. The owners of these vehicles shout out the routes they travel: 'They tell people they are In Drive and pick them up in cars', all with the knowledge of the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT), the taxi drivers warn. The group of transport leaders suggested installing surveillance cameras at the points where pirate taxis operate so they can be identified and sanctioned. They also add that they have provided video evidence to the National Police's Directorate of Traffic Operations and the ATTT, showing the owners of these cars transporting people to various destinations. 'They are acting above the law,' said Andrés Esturain Hernández, who has worked as a taxi driver for 16 years, adding that those who board these pirate taxis are risking their lives. Uriel Pérez, a transport professional with 30 years of experience, reiterated that Law 14 of May 26, 1993, which regulates public passenger land transport in Panama, amended by Law 34 of 1999, is clear about who can provide passenger transport services.
