Diablos rojos call for more time, threaten blockages

Operators of "diablos rojos" on the nine routes that have yet to be replaced  by the Metro Bus have requested more time before the takeover is initiated.

The Transit agency ATTT had set a March 15 deadline for the takeover, but the operators have appealed directly to President Ricardo Martinelli for an extension. The deadline for operators to deliver documentation to enable payment of compensation was set for March 11.
"We are asking for more time so we can solve the problems we have in the different routes," said operator Tomasito López.
The operators have threatened to block Metro buses from servicing the routes if the deadline is not extended.
López said that 800 operators have still not received promised compensation, and that this is the major outstanding issue.
On Monday, March 11, Minister of the Presidency, Roberto Henriquez, said that the checks were ready, but many operators had not delivered their documents by the closing date, and some did not even possess documents. The operators have had over two years to prepare for the final hand over.
Lopez said: "Mr. President, we will not allow any of our children to go to bed without eating, we can not leave the system until they pay us our money, because that is our daily sustenance," he said.
The operators held a 45-minute protest yesterday on Avenida José Agustín Arango, and planned more protests on Wednesday