BUS CRISIS: Diablos rojos drivers claim intimidation
THE THREAT of 250 "Diablos Rojos" (red devils) returning to the streets of Panama on Wednesday, April 10 was turned aside by what drivers called “intimidation and threats”
The transportista’s collective leader Tomasito López said that drivers were told their licenses would be seized if they started offering service.
"They are not letting us work," he said.To avoid confrontation, the drivers did not take to the streets and said they will meet later to discuss their options.
"We do not rule anything out right now," he said. "The people are suffering."
The drivers who are awaiting $25,000 compensation for handing in their decommissioned old US school buses, were to have left the streets on March 15, but were planning to resume operating their buses due to a problems being experienced by the Metro Bus system. They claimed the return of 250 was to help “the people”.
Transit agency ATTT officials threatened the bus drivers with a $150 fine if they went back into service. Police officers were stationed at bus stops looking for Diablos Rojos operating without permission.