Public transit and underground parking to fight traffic woes

A combination of improved public transit and the provision of  underground parking lots are two moves underway in Panama to combat increasing traffic snarls.

The construction of five hundred bus stops for the new Metro Bus system will be up for bids this month, with a reference price of $25 million.

Meanwhile the city council is moving to ease the increasing  traffic jams in the city by calling for bids for the construction pf nine underground parking lots at a cost of $4.5  to $5 million each. The bids are expected in 60 days.{jathumbnail off}

The parking stations are projected for parks: Porras, Urraca, Andres Bello, Francisco Arias Paredes and Harry Strunz. T locations in Casoc Viejo are also being considered including  Plaza de Francia,  Herrera, Bolivar and La Catedral.

There are 400,000 vehicles on the streets of Panama,  with an estimated growth of 10% each year.

Enforcement of “No parking” enforcement islax, and illegal parking is rampant, even when parking lots are close by and spaces are available.