New minister hands out hard public transit facts

Panama’s new Minister of the Presidency  Roberto Henriquez  has made  his second announcement regarding delays in the Metro Bus system, much hyped by his predecessor Demetrio Papadimitriu.

First came  the news that the  lowly regarded diablos Rojos, will be around until 2014, and not resting in a polluters’ graveyard.  The noisy and smoke emitting discarded school buses were supposed to finally be replaced by July 2011, according to Papadimitriu whose forecasts seemed to come from a  calendar with moveable dates. They are mired in controversy over who has been compensated, who hasn’t,  and who has double dipped into the kitty.

 Now Henriquez has announced that another promised transport event,  the installation of the new Metro bus stops is delayed and they will not be here by September as trumpeted by Papadimitriu.  On Tuesday, July 31, Henriquez said "There is a little delay let's admit it," he said.  The booths will not be installed in September butthe manufacturing of the structures continues.

Henriquez statements came after that in different mediareports highlighted the complaints  of mass transit passengerdsystem about the lack of stops, especially in this rainy season.

 Henriquez told TVN News  that when they finally arrive, the stops will come prefabricated and will be assembled in Panama City.At least a thousand stops will be installed and will be “more comfortable”, and many will have facilities for buying for Metro Bus cards and each will hold at least 40 people. The other stops will be simpler, but more modern than those currently existing in Panama City, he said. 

He added that coordination was made ??with the Mayor of Panama, so that there will be no stops in areas where no Metro buses stop.