The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) approved a US$38 million loan and a US$9 million non-reimbursable financing to increase electric and inclusive mobility and resilience in public transportation in Panama City.
The operation approved by the Executive Board of BID will support the electrification of the bus fleet operated by the MiBus system at the El Chorrillo Operations and Execution Center and the improvement of public transportation infrastructure quality.
It will directly benefit approximately 7,700 people, including 5,945 residents from areas influenced by climate urbanism works in the districts of Calidonia and Betania, and 1,828 daily users of the transportation service at the 5 de Mayo Station.
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Additionally, it will indirectly benefit the 2 million inhabitants of the Metropolitan Area of Panama City (AMCP).
Beneficiaries
The MiBus system transports an average of 390,000 passengers per day with a fleet of 1,346 buses. Its main challenge is the renewal of 1,233 buses nearing the end of their useful life, which consume approximately 977,721 liters of diesel, emitting harmful pollutants affecting residents’ health.
The project will finance the acquisition of a fleet of 53 electric buses required for the El Chorrillo Operations and Execution Center, as well as the design and implementation of charging infrastructure and its management system.
It will also support climate resilience and inclusion in urban transport infrastructure by funding complementary works to those implemented by the Ministry of Public Works, including stormwater drainage systems and accessible and climate-resilient urbanism works.
Additionally, it will strengthen MiBus’ capabilities to manage the electric bus fleet and will support programs to increase the labor participation of female drivers and mechanics in electric mobility.
For the Ministry of Public Works, it will fund technical assistance for managing the works and strengthening their capacities to make urban transportation infrastructure more resilient.
