The struggle to solve public transport crisis

Government officials and representatives of My Bus and Sonda met late on Tuesday afternoon to develop a strategy to improve “in the next few hours” the public passenger transport system.

Meanwhile local TV channels carried pictures of long lines of passengers fighting to board buses, elderly female passengers being knocked to the ground and doors unable to close.
 During the meeting the Minister of the Presidency, Roberto Henriquez, spoke to the managers of the companies administering the Metro Bus service and electronic cards to develop A strategy to overcome the difficulties faced by users since March 15 implementation of all of the Metro Bus routes, and the withdrawal of Diablos Rojos.
Henriquez said authorities are sensitive to the mishaps users have had in the last hours, but said the government is working intensely to provide transportation service more frequently on various routes.
"We are looking for immediate corrective to alleviate this situation. I want to tell users, we know they are making a sacrifice of their time, they are getting up earlier, they are coming to their homes later, but I also want to say that as a government we are working to give you a short-term solution " said Henriquez.
He added that Wednesday should bring new changes and split the 26 routes that focus on the Plaza 5 de Mayo.
He also said that these changes will extend into the areas of the shopping center and supermarket La Doña Xtra from December 24 .
Earlier in the day The government benches rejected a proposal that sought to bring, Roberto Moreno Director of the Transit Authority (ATTT), to the National Assembly to, to explain the problems with the public transport system.
There were 36 votes against the proposal submitted by Deputy Jose Isabel Blandon, Panameñista. Ten deputies backed the initiative.
The decision of the Government bench drew criticism from opposition MPs, who said that it was disrespectful of the deputies Democratic Change (CD) deputies to have voted against the proposal.