The Panama Metro (MPSA) has confirmed that the parking lot at Villa Zaíta will remain closed as it launches a public tender process to select a private operator to manage it. The company is seeking an operator to take on the administration, operation, and maintenance of the parking complex at the Villa Zaíta station interchange. This model aims to ensure efficiency and sustainability without generating additional costs for the state. Under the scheme, the complex will be managed by a specialized concessionaire under the Metro's supervision. The remaining spaces will be available for system users and the general public, with the goal of facilitating intermodal transport in the Panama North area. Deputy Neftalí Zamora of the 'Vamos' coalition and a representative of Panama North warned that the proposal could become a business for third parties without real investment in the infrastructure. He sees a difference between outsourcing operations and allowing a private operator to profit from an already-built asset. "If incentives are created for an operator to charge for the project, you will have a person profiting from something they did not invest in," Zamora stated, questioning what added value the concessionaire would provide, considering the infrastructure, technology, and systems are already in place. Zamora emphasized that the Villa Zaíta parking serves a public function: to facilitate travel for Panama North residents to the city center and reduce the number of vehicles on the road. The project was developed to benefit over 300,000 people living in Panama North and to meet transportation demand to areas like San Isidro. While fares have not yet been set, the Metro indicated they must remain accessible, considering it is a price-sensitive user segment and the model aims to operate without state subsidies. Construction of this terminal, which began in 2021 and concluded in April 2024, including the parking and metro station, cost $177.9 million, plus $25.6 million in financing. The complex features 662 parking spaces, 222 of which will be reserved for the social security clinic 'Dr. Edilberto Culiolis', located next to the metro station.
