The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a US$38 million loan and US$9 million in non-reimbursable financing to increase electric and inclusive mobility and resilience in public transportation in Panama City.
The operation approved by the IDB Board of Executive Directors will support the electrification of the bus fleet operated by the MiBus system at the El Chorrillo Operation and Execution Center and the improvement of the quality of public transportation infrastructure.
It will directly benefit approximately 7,700 people, including 5,945 residents of the area of influence of climate urban development works in the districts of Calidonia and Betania, and 1,828 daily users of the transportation service who go to the 5 de Mayo Station. In addition, it will indirectly benefit the 2 million inhabitants of the Metropolitan Area of Panama City.
Its main challenge is the renovation of 1,233 buses that are close to the end of their useful life and consume approximately 977,721 liters of diesel, generating emissions that are harmful to the health of the inhabitants.
The project will finance the acquisition of a fleet of 53 electric buses required for the El Chorrillo Operation and Execution Center, and the design and implementation of the charging infrastructure and its management system.
Additionally, it will strengthen MiBus’s capabilities to manage the fleet of electric buses and will support programs to increase the labor participation of female drivers and mechanics in electric mobility.
