The director of the Transit and Land Transportation Authority (ATTT), Nicolás Brea, and leaders of Panama's transportation sector met on Saturday, March 21, to seek technical alternatives to avoid a fare increase amidst the impact of rising fuel prices. During the meeting, transporters exposed the economic pressure they face due to the increase in operational costs and requested urgent support measures. "We are not looking for conflict, but for a concrete response and a clear roadmap," they stated, while warning that the current situation is unsustainable for the sector. In this scenario, leaders agreed to grant a one-week deadline to keep talks open, pending a formal proposal from the government. In turn, Brea informed that he will present a strategy in the coming days aimed at stabilizing the transportation system for the next three months. "The commitment of the National Government is not to affect the user with fare increases," emphasized the director of the ATTT, who assured that they are working on measures to alleviate the sector's burden while the evolution of the energy market is evaluated. As a result of the approach, both parties agreed to immediately set up a working table to analyze options that mitigate the impact of the fuel hike. Additionally, the ATTT announced that it will reinforce operations against illegal transport and will continue with technical actions to improve mobility towards West Panama, one of the areas with the highest vehicle flow in the country. Finally, Brea made a call to maintain permanent dialogue. "The doors are open to find joint solutions that guarantee service to the citizenry without resorting to pressure measures," he concluded.
