Taxi fares to increase starting today in Panama City
Although this sounds ominous and may cause a few strikes and roadblocks by local citizenry, it is not so dire when you consider that we are talking about 10 cent increase across certain zones. In most countries we would be adding a few zeros to that number. Panama taxi's have to be some of the cheapest in the world. I am always amazed that the fare to go across town in heavy traffic would be less than two dollars. The downside to being so cheap is that they are driving recklessly fast and picking up other fares when they are going the same way as you. The alternative is the red devils buses which can get you killed.
Taxi fares in Panama City and San Miguelito will increase today, going up 10 cents when crossing from one zone to another.
The far increase was approved by the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (ATTT). It is going into effect despite the fact that it has not been published in the government's Gazette.
The fares on Sundays and holidays and the fee for extra passengers have also increased by 10 cents and 15 cents respectively.
Rafael Reyes, general secretary of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores del Transporte de Taxis, said that the taxi fares have remained the same for almost 30 years, and that an increase was long overdue.
