Violating Panama Metro’s Transit Rules Will Cost You.
Fines for violating transit rules on the Metro de Panamá range from $100 to $3,000, heavily dependent on the severity of the infraction. These penalties are strictly enforced according to the official User Regulations (Metro de Panamá Reglamento del Usuario), which is updated regularly. Hundreds of riders have been fined for infractions on the Panama Metro since its opening.While the system is famous for its strict adherence to “Metrocultura” (Metro Culture), authorities actively hand out official citations that result in a fine.
Below is a List of Infractions.
Eating or drinking inside the trains or station installations.
Littering or throwing waste outside of designated trash bins.
Playing audio without headphones.
Riding wheeled items like skates, skateboards, or bicycles within the facilities.
Unauthorized commercial activity, such as selling lottery tickets or distributing flyers.
Safety line violations, such as running on the platforms or crossing the yellow line before the train arrives.
Fare evasion or traveling with an invalid or unauthorized personalized transit card.
Loitering or staying on train property outside of commercial operational hours without permission.
Misusing safety gear, including the unjustified handling of station fire extinguishers or automated protection systems.
Verbal aggression or psychological abuse directed at Metro staff members.
First-time reinfraction of any minor rule within a six-month
The following list contains serious to very serious infractions, which can result in a much higher fine.
Forcing doors open or physically blocking train doors from closing (a notable incident at Las Mañanitas station recently resulted in a specific $500 fine for a passenger holding the doors open with their foot and hands).
Tampering with emergency controls, such as the emergency stop buttons on escalators or elevators without cause.
Entering unauthorized zones, including step-downs onto the active train tracks or into train tunnels.
Vandalism or destruction of train cars, tracks, or station infrastructure.
Throwing objects at moving trains or directly onto the rails.
Carrying hazardous items, including weapons, sharp instruments, explosives, pyrotechnics, or flammable liquids.
Physical assault targeted against Metro employees or security personnel.
In a recent tracking report by the Panama Metro administration, officials noted that at least $21,557 had been collected in fines over a selective tracking period.
