The Land Transit and Transport Authority (ATTT) deployed a major New Year’s Eve security and inspection operation at Panama City’s main bus terminal on Wednesday. The annual effort aims to ensure safe travel for tens of thousands of citizens heading to the country’s interior provinces for holiday celebrations.
Inspectors from the agency intensified technical and administrative reviews of buses departing from the Albrook Bus Terminal. The operation focused on verifying vehicle roadworthiness and ensuring all drivers possessed proper, up-to-date documentation.
Surge in Passenger Traffic Prompts Additional Buses
Terminal officials reported exceptionally high passenger volume beginning Monday night. More than 54,000 travelers had already been transported by Tuesday, a figure surpassing traffic from the same period last year. The increase forced the activation of support buses to manage demand.
“The movement has been quite strong. Last night we managed to dispatch all passengers before midnight, thanks to coordination with the service companies and the availability of additional transport,” explained a terminal operations director. [Translated from Spanish]
Preliminary statistics show an increase of three to four thousand additional passengers between December 22 and 31 compared to the previous year. The busiest routes have been those heading west to Chiriquí Province, including direct service to David.
Long lines formed at ticket counters as early as Tuesday morning. Significant demand was also reported for routes to Penonomé, Santiago, Darién, and Cañita. Authorities anticipated the peak departure window for Wednesday would occur between midday and early afternoon.
Inspections Target Vehicle Safety and Driver Compliance
ATTT personnel conducted thorough checks on buses throughout the gran terminal. They examined critical safety components like tire conditions and lighting systems. Every driver was required to present a valid license appropriate for their vehicle class, current insurance, and an updated operation certificate.
Simon Henríquez, Director of the Land Transit and Transport Authority (ATTT), oversaw the operation personally. The annual exodus presents one of the largest logistical challenges for Panama’s terrestrial transport system each December.
Travelers were advised to arrive at the terminal well in advance of their planned departure. Officials also recommended purchasing tickets early and following all instructions from terminal staff to ensure an orderly process. The goal remains preventing delays and guaranteeing secure transit during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The agency’s preparedness reflects lessons learned from managing large-scale movements. Pre preparation type of high-pressure scenario, coordination with private bus companies proved essential. Their collaboration allowed for the rapid deployment of extra vehicles to clear passenger backlogs efficiently.
Operations are expected to return to normal patterns by the weekend. A similar surge in return traffic is anticipated as the holiday period concludes and travelers head back to the capital.