Prices up for transportation and bread

The cost of living in Panama got a substantial hike on the weekend with up  to 21 percent   increases in  long distance  bus fares  of the country and the price of bread in many stores up  by 36 cents from 91 cents.

ATTT Director Jorge Ricardo Fábrega said that the fare hike for many bus routes in the interior was approved to avoid a "national emergency” after bus owners had threatened a strike on Wednesday April 9. They demanded higher fares to cover rising fuel and equipment costs.

Fares for the Panama-Santiago will rise $1  and the Panama-David routes will be up $2.60.

 A loaf of bread  in Panama city climbed from 91 cents to $1.27.