Infamous Diablos Rojos returning as school buses

Some of Panama’s infamous Diablo’s Rojos, renowned for their noise, smoke, drag racing, and traffic accidents, are rising from the dead being refurbished for a return to their original use … school buses. 

As the move towards a new Metro bus system expands, owners of buses, often mechanically defective,  are being compensated with $25,000 for each bus taken out of service, and handed over to the government.
So far 12 buses are undergoing a “ total transformation”, according to the Minister of the Presidency Jimmy Panadimitriu. The cost is $3000 per vehicle.
Whether the revamping of the vehicles, discarded by US school boards years ago, will include noise and smoke reduction is unclear.
The buses still providing what stands in for a public transport system in Panama City and the hinterland, are subject to frequent breakdowns, emit large clouds of carcinogenic smoke and have noise levels rivaling worn out dump trucks.
Spot checks on drivers have found many under the influence of alcohol or drugs, without licenses and with large amounts of upaid fines as they race each other through city streets.
It is hoped that the buses being refurbished in time for the beginning of the new school year in March, will have licensed drivers trained in knowing and obeying traffic rules,.